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Degumming technology to improve the fibers' quality
22 Oct '09
4 min read
The leaves of maguey are traditionally blended with abaca to make ropes, nets, cordage, carpets, and fiber craft items. In Mexico, where this plant originated, a type of maguey produces alcoholic drinks called mescal and pulque. In the Philippines, maguey grows naturally and is cultivated in Northern Luzon and Central Visayas.
Tropical almond leaves color fabrics yellow, black, gray
The leaves of talisay or tropical almond are a natural source of yellow, black, and gray dyes for textiles, according to the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
"A tropical tree that grows 25–40 meters high, tropical almond not only provides shade but its tannin-rich leaves also produce essential dyes when extracted and processed," announced Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, director of PTRI. Researchers at PTRI developed a technology in producing tropical almond dye powder by boiling the chopped, steeped leaves. The liquid extract is filtered and fed to a spray dryer. The powder produced is collected and stored in clean, dry and air-tight amber bottles at ambient temperature to maintain the physical properties of the natural dye powder and extend its shelf-life, explains Julius Leaño Jr., senior science research specialist at PTRI.
As the researcher described, the powder is yellowish, stable in air and light, and readily soluble in water creating a rich yellow dye bath. Gray or black shade forms when ferrous sulfate is added during dye application on textile or other materials.
Materials dyed with tropical almond powder went through a test of colorfastness to washing. Depending on the type of materials dyed, no change in color and no staining was recorded when dyed material was washed for an hour.
Tropical almond thrives on beaches and sandy coasts. The leaves, green fruits and sometimes the roots are used locally for tanning leather; the wood is used for building houses and boats, while the seeds are edible and contain oil.
Tropical almond leaves color fabrics yellow, black, gray
The leaves of talisay or tropical almond are a natural source of yellow, black, and gray dyes for textiles, according to the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
"A tropical tree that grows 25–40 meters high, tropical almond not only provides shade but its tannin-rich leaves also produce essential dyes when extracted and processed," announced Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, director of PTRI. Researchers at PTRI developed a technology in producing tropical almond dye powder by boiling the chopped, steeped leaves. The liquid extract is filtered and fed to a spray dryer. The powder produced is collected and stored in clean, dry and air-tight amber bottles at ambient temperature to maintain the physical properties of the natural dye powder and extend its shelf-life, explains Julius Leaño Jr., senior science research specialist at PTRI.
As the researcher described, the powder is yellowish, stable in air and light, and readily soluble in water creating a rich yellow dye bath. Gray or black shade forms when ferrous sulfate is added during dye application on textile or other materials.
Materials dyed with tropical almond powder went through a test of colorfastness to washing. Depending on the type of materials dyed, no change in color and no staining was recorded when dyed material was washed for an hour.
Tropical almond thrives on beaches and sandy coasts. The leaves, green fruits and sometimes the roots are used locally for tanning leather; the wood is used for building houses and boats, while the seeds are edible and contain oil.
The Philippine Textile Research Institute
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