1. Developing a dye using Caesalpinia sappan (Pathangi) wood extract
BT 3064 (Experimental Plant Biotechnology)
Department of Plant Sciences

2. BT 3064 (Experimental Plant Biotechnology) course module
Level III Plant Biotechnology (Special Degree)
Group work of 6 students
Supervised by,
K.P.D. Tharaka
W.A.K.T.M. Anandawansha
P.N.A. Dayananda
P.V.D. Dilani
U.W.R. Sampath
D.I.M. Yahampath
Dr. Sudeera Ranwala
Dr. Pradeepika Saputhanthri

3. What are natural dyes Dyes derived from natural sources
Dyes are coloured, ionizing and aromatic organic compounds which show an affinity towards the substrate to which it is being applied
( Nemcova et al, 2014)

4. Why use natural dyes?
Provide an environment friendly dye for fabrics and garments
Do not contain chemicals harmful to health and more reliable than the chemical synthetic dyes
Reducing production costs and eliminating the huge expenses of chemical imports
Biodegradable and do not cause disposal problems

5. Pathangi (Caesalpinia sappan) as a natural dye
The heartwood of the plant is used as dyeing agent
The main dye component in the heartwood is brazilin
Brazilin is a weakly coloured product
Easily oxidises by air and light to give the deep red pigment brazilein.

6. Our tasks : Aims and objectives
To improve the extraction protocol by testing the effectiveness of different solvents.
To investigate the effect of incorporating Kora-Kaha (Memecyclon umbellatum ) leaves in the extraction procedure.
To find out most appropriate dye amount and mordanting method for effective dyeing of fabrics.

7. Our tasks : Aims and objectives cont..
To check the effectiveness of the dye, after application through certain techniques such as wash fastness, rub fastness, and photo degradation effect.
To check for microbial contaminations after application of dye to a cotton fabric.
To develop Pathangi crude as a paint for cellulose papers and to obtain several different colours using different mordants.

8. Each student conducted standard methodologies
Student 1- Extraction of the dye from the wood of Pathangi using different extraction methods
Student 2- Investigate the effect of incorporating Kora-Kaha leaves in the extraction procedure
Student 3- Determination of photo degradation effect

9. Student 4- Mordanting of clothes, dyeing of
Student 4- Mordanting of clothes, dyeing of mordant clothes and solubility tests for the crude extracts
Student 5- Determine the growth of microbes after been applied to clothes
Student 6- Development of the crude extract (concentrated) as paint

10. Results Extraction of the dye using different solvents.
- Best solvent- methanol
Preparation of the crude of Pathangi

11. Determination of photo degradation.
Liquid extractions
After applied to clothes
Colour degradation
highest- water extraction
Lowest- methanol extraction

12. Mordanting of clothes Best mordant- a mixture of
alum (Potassium Aluminium Sulphate) &
cream of tartar (Potassium hydrogen tartrate)
Colour fainting has been minimized using mordants
Non mordent clothes
Mordent clothes

13. Discolouration and visible signs of microbial growth
No colonies or discolouration patches on dyed clothes
Development of the Pathangi crude as paint.
Different colours were obtained using different mordants
Mordant used
Colour of the crude.
Alum
Maroon/deep red
CuSO4
Dark Brown
FeSO4
Brown

15. What we have gained..?? Group Work
How to work as a team
How to face challenges
Work within given time duration
How to deal with others

16. Acknowledgement
Our supervisors, Dr.S.Ranwala and Dr.P.S.Saputhanthri, senior lecturers, Department of Plant Sciences
All other lecturers, demonstrators & non academic staff of Department of Plant Sciences
Biodiversity secretariat - Wickramasinghepura, Athul Kotte
Our dear parents
All of our colleagues

17. Thank You