Vol. 2, Issue 7, Part H (2016)

Abstract
In recent days the inherent advantages of plant based dyes has resulted in the revival and usage in day to day life of human being. In the present study survey was carried out in dye yielding plant of south India and around 33 plants have been documented of them. The hot water extraction of the plant Morinda pubescens (Smith) was subjected for its dying ability and colour fastness in cotton fabric at different pH and the colour changes was absorbed from yellowish to deep reddish colour. The spectral results at 279 nm and 470 nm showed two peak values with the presence of active compound quinone ring in the dye molecule. Addition of plant based mordant namely Terminalia chebula formed a dye complex that enhanced dye insoluble and complex that enhanced the dye insoluble reduced the fasting of colors in the fabric while assessing the colour measurement of the dye. Colour value of 1.9 yellow+10.9 red have been recorded in this study and the surface depth of the colour (K/S value) was ranging from 8.7 to 7.8 in without pH condition and 10.7 to 8.35 at a pH range of 8-10.The dyed fabric exhibited significant antibacterial activity against bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Candida albicans. Hence the plant based dye M. pubescens can be used to manufacture medical textiles.