Extraction and application of natural dye preparations from the floral parts of Woodfordia fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz

India has a rich biodiversity and harbours a wealth of useful germplasm resources and there is no doubt that the plant kingdom is a treasure-house of diverse natural products. One such product from nature is the dye. Dyes are one of the most important uses of the plants. Recently, interest in the use of natural dyes has been growing rapidly due to the result of stringent environmental standards imposed by many countries in response to toxic and allergic reactions associated with synthetic dyes. Nature has gifted us more than 500 dye-yielding plant species. One such medicinally much used dyeyielding plant species, Woodfordia fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz is exploited particularly, in perfume, leather and textile industry and believed to be superior for woolen and silk fabrics. The present study deals with the extraction of natural dye from this species, commonly known as Fire-Flame Bush, and their application on textiles. Three different techniques/methods for extraction of dye from the collected flowers were evaluated to determine the best extraction method. Three different types of fabrics and three different types of yarns were used in the experiment to observe the strength of dye. Cotton Jute mix sample showed dark yellowish brown colour with Myrobalan, dark blackish brown colour with Ferrous Sulphate, Camel colour with Stannous Chloride and Yellowish brown with Potassium dichromate.