EXTRACTION AND APPLICATION OF INDIGENOUS PLANT DYE ON COTTON FABRICS IN NIGERIA IMPLICATIONS FOR HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION

Indigenous plant dyes (natural) are organic materials that have the ability to impart colour to any substrates, which they must have had affinity for. The study investigated extraction and application of indigenous plant dyes on cotton fabrics: implication for home economics education. The study assessed the physical and functional properties of indigo leave). Two research (2) questions were raised. The expofacto research design was adopted for the study. The study employed one instrument, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer for the functional group of the dye obtained was used. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. Results from the study on physical properties of extracted dyes revealed that the percentage yield of liquid extracted from the sample was very small compared to the original weight. The highest dye yield was obtained from sample (indigo) which yielded (32%) extract and obtained colour was Blue-C (Indigo). Results from the functional properties from spectrophotometry revealed that dyes were introduced on the cotton fabrics in a faster and effective manner. The study concludes that indigo dye extracted from indigenous plant, that was applied on cotton fabrics was suitable, therefore indigo plant as (natural dyes) can serve as a source of raw material for fabric dyeing. The study recommends that Home makers and artisans or individuals who practice fabric dyeing of any sort should be educated on the need to explore the indigenous plants in their communities or even at their home backyard gardens. It was also recommended that entrepreneurs should explore a more scientific approach on the extraction of indigenous plant dyes for better consumerism.