FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to an eco-friendly process for preparing dyed banana textile. The invention in particular refers to the improved and environment friendly method for preparing dyed banana textile using natural dyes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As of now, the textile processing industry is one of tiie major environmental polluters. As per one study, in order to process a ton of textile, one might have to use as much as 230 to 270 tons of water (Ali et a£, 2007). The effluent generated by this much water would pollute the environment as it contains a heavy load of chemicals including dyes (most of them are synthetic dyes) used during textile processing.
It has been estimated ir^at over 700000 tonnes and approximatery Ju,uOO different types of dyes and pigments are produced world-wide annualiy, majorly, to be used in the textile industries. (Iqba! and Ashiq, 2007). It has been estimated that around 10-15% of the dye is normally lost in the effluent during the dyeing process itself.
Banana is one of the most important major fruit crops grown in India. In respect of area it ranks second and first in production only after mango in this country. India leads the world in banana production wrAh an annual output of about 16.820 mt. In India, Tamil Nadu leads in total area and production with 2514729 ton from 71088 ha. The other major banana producing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Assam.

Even though, banana is cultivated in large area the production of the fibre is very meagre and it can be estimated not more than 5%. The banana varieties that give rise to fibre include Grand Naine, Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Nendrari, Red Banana, f^ey Poovan etc. The yield may vary from 0.5 to 15% i.e. 100 to 200 kg of fiber per acre. Cutting the pseodostem of banana after the fruit harvest is an age old practice.
With increased awareness ^^^ environmental concerns associated with synthetic fibres, the textile manufacturers are looking towards non-conventional fibres that can be incorporated in textiles. Banana fibre is one of tlie rare natural fibres tiiat exiiibit strengtii and lustre like silt in view of vide availability of the fibre source, banana is being viewed as one of the most potential textile fibre for future textiles.
Presently, most of the banana textiles are manufactured by chemical viscose process, which are not eco-friendiy and are harmful to the environment as the colours are not biodegradable. The effluents also cause pollution to the soil and water.
As the major concern is the eco-friendly process, natural dyed textiles have tremendous scope for domestic and export markets. Further, it has been understood that the natural dyes are mostly eco-friendly, biodegradable, less toxic, and less allergenic as compared to synthetic dyes. Some of the natural dyes even have curative effect e,g., curcumin in turmeric has antibacterial properties (Han and Yang, 2005; Hill, 1997).
Due to high absorption as compared to cotton, banana textiles can be dyed to very bright natural shades with good to excellent colour fastness required for

the consumers. Also, the natural colours are biodegradable and do not cause any poilotion.
As corisomers look for more variety, natural dyed banana textiles can satisfy the consumers in terms of colour, appearance and durability/ fastness of coioyf. As of now there are virtuaiiy no banana textiles available with natural dyes. Hence, there is a long felt need for the improved and sustainable process for dying banana fibres/textiles with natural colours.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an eco-friendly process for dying banana textile.
Further, the method according to the present invention provides for an eco-friendly process for preparing dyed banana textile using natural dyes, comprising the steps of scouring of banana textile, pre - treating of scoured banana textile with homogeneous myrobalan solution, followed by evenly drying of the treated banana textile under sun light, mo^de^ting ^h^ ^ied pre-treated banana textile, dyeing the dried pretreated mordanted or ynmordanted banana textile in natural dye solution at the temperature of about 80 to 90 C fo^ 45 minutes with continuous stirpt^g anrj uitra-sonication, followed by rinsing and drying under shade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough undersianding of the invention. However, it wiii be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific detaiis. In other instances, weil-kno¥fn methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not obscure the present invention.
According to one embodiment, the present invention provides for an eco-friendly process for preparing dyed banana textile using nature! dyes. For the purpose of this invention the term textile means to include fibre, yarns, fabrics and cloths.
The process involves the extraction of natural dyes/pigments like flavonoid / carotenoid / anthocyanidins / anthraqoinoid/ indigoid etc. from the natural dye sources like myrobalan, marigold, Butea monosperma, Bombax malabaricym, seeds from Bixa Orellana, pomegranate fruit rind, indigo plant, barks such as eucalyptus, Arjun, Sappan wood, Peltaphorum terrocorpum, etc. , using the soft water (TDS 300) as medium.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the method comprising of the following steps:
Step 1: Scouring of Banana textile:
The banana textile is procured. It is weighed and placed in soft water to remove water soluble impurities. It is than scoured in mild alkaline solution with 2 gms per litre of Sodium carbonate and 1 gm per litre of neutral soap at boiled temperature for 1 hour. The scoured textile is washed thoroughly in soft water and then dried.

step 2: Pre4reatfnent for Banana textile:
The myrobalan powder (20% based on weight of the textile) is made to dissolve in water (at 1: 1C ratio) and left 12 hours. The solution is stirred to get homogeneous mixture and then the scoured banana textile is dipped in it and continuously stirred for 20 to 40 minutes (preferably 30 minutes). Then it is removed from the myrobalan bath and excess solution is removed.
it is placed in sun taking care that the whole textile is exposed on all sides evenly to sunlight and dried.
Step 2A: Extraction of natural pigment and making of ready to use dye soiytion: ^he natural dye souroes, like flowers from myrobalan, marigold, Butea monosperma, Bombax malabaricum, seeds from Bixa Orellana, pomegranate fruit rind, indigo plant, barks such as eucalyptus, Arjun, Sappan ¥^ood, Peitaphorym terrocorpom, etc., are either procured in dried form or fresh source is procured and dried in shade to save / improve the pigment present in the source. The raw natural dye source is cleaned to remove the foreign matter, if any. After drying the source is reduced to powder form through pulverization to around 45 to 55 mesh preferably 50 mesh.
The source in poiverized powder form is then mixed with soft water 5 times more than its weight, boiling it for 45 minutes to 75 minutes (preferably around 60 minutes) at 75° to 95" G (preferably at m to 90 " G) depending upon the source dye material. The solution is then left for 2 to 3 hours to get it cooled and also to extract maximum pigment. Th^ Hye/ pigment solution is then sieved thoroughly to remove the source material

In order to get the fast and bright colour from the dye pigments, the size of the pigment particle is essentially reduced by employing suitable means, without destroying/affecting the characteristics and properties of the same. In an embodiment of this invention the size of the pigment particles are reduceci through oltra-sonication, preferable mode, for Yi to 1 hour and the solution is made ready for dyeing.
Step 3: Mordanting of Banana textile:
The dried banana textile is then mordanted using one of the mordants or combination of the mordants=
Either of the following three types of mordanting can be used: a) Premordaoting:
lo this method the textile is first mordanted and then dyed. The step by step procedure is as follows:
- The banana textile is weighed
- preparation of mordant solution- The mordant is weighed as per the optimized per cent based on the banana textile weight, like 10 to 15 % in case of alum mordant or 1 to 3% m case of siariiious chloride mordant, arid is dissolved ir- SufS ^^ate^^ Ir. a material to liquor ration of 1:15 io 1:25 preferable 1:20 al 60^ C
» ^he banana textile is placed in mordant solution and mof^danted for 20 to 40 minutes, preferably 30 minutes, at 50 to70° C, preferably 60° C, with continuous stirring
- It is removed from the Mordanting bath and the excess solution
is removed by soft squeezing.

b). Simyitaneous Mordanting:
In this method the Mordanting is done along with dyeing
- "i he banana textile is weighed
- The mordant to be used is weighed as per the optimized per cent based on the textile weight, like 10 to 15 % in case of aiom mordant or 1 to 3% in case of stannous chloride mordant,
- The mordant is added to the dye solution at the ratio of 1:15 to 1:25 preferably 1:20 and the textile is simultaneously mordanted and dyed for 20 to 40 minutes, preferably 30 minutes, at 50 to70° C, preferably 60° C, with continuous stirring
c). Post Mordanting:
In this method the textile is first dyed and then mordanted. The process is:
- The banana textile is weighed
- Preparation of mordant solution: The mordant is weighed as per the optimized per cent based on the banana textile weight, like 10 to 15 % 10 case of alum mordant or 1 to 3% in case of stannous chloride mordant, and is dissolved in soft water in a materia! to liquor ration of 1:15 to 1:25 preferably 1:20 at 60° C
- The dyed banana textile is placed in mordanted solution and mordanted for 25 to 40 minytes, preferably 30 minutes, at 50 to70° C, preferably 60° C, with continuous stirring
Step 4: Dyeing Banana textile

The pretreated, mordanted/ unmordanted banana textile is placed in dye solution in a material to liquor ration of 1:15 to 1:25 preferably 1:20 and Is dyed at optimum temperature of SO"" to 90° C for 40 to 50 min preferably 45 mts with continuous stirring and ultra-sonication
The dyed banana textile is ief! in the dye batli for 1 hour and later removed and rinsed in cold soft water 2 to 3 times. After dyeing, it is washed in a mild lukewarm water with 2% ^^-'-z' -oap for 5 r^^s, rinse':^ ^nd dried -^-Her shade.
Colour fastness of the final dyed textile to washing, sunlight, crocking and perspiration is graded as per the procedures laid by AATCC. Then the product IS weighed and packed in dry paper covers.
The by-product is otilized either for making briquettes / or used for production of fertile bio-manure. The effluents are safe to the soil and infact increase tiie fertility of the iand=
Apart from being environmental friendly, the entire process is simple and effective resulting in fast colour with bright shades on banana fibre/ yam/ fabric/textiles.

CLAIMS
1. An eco-friendly process for preparing dyed banana textile using natural
dyes, the said process comprising the steps of:
- scouring of banana textile with mild alkaline solution of sodium carbonate, preferably of 2 gms per litre, and with neutral soap, 1 gm per litre, at boiling temperature,
- pre - treating of scoured banana textile with homogeneous myrobalan solution, under continuous stirring,
- removing the pre4reated banana textile from myrobalan bath and drying it evenly under sun light,
- mordanting the dried pre4reated banana textile,
- dyeing the dried pretreated mordanted or un-mordanted banana textiles in natural dye solution at the temperature of about 80 to 90 C for 45 minutes with continuous stirring with ultra-sonication,
- leaving the said dyed banana textiles in dye bath fcf 1 hour and removing the dyed banana textiles followed by rinsing it with cold water for 2-3 minutes and after treatment of the washed dyed banana fabric with mild iuke warm water for 5 minutes and then drying the same under shade.
2. The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the natural dye is
selecting fmm the group comprising of:
- flowers from myrobalan, marigold, Butea monosperma, Bombax malabaricum,
- seeds from Bixa Orellana, pomegranate fruit rind, indigo plant,
barks such as eucalyptus, Arjun, Sappan wood, Peltaphorum terrocorpum etc.
3, The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size of the natural dye pigment particles of the dye solutiori are reduced through ultra-sonication for Vz to 1 hour, before using the same for dying the banana textile.
4. The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the myrobalan solution is prepared by dissolving myrobalan powder, 20% weight ratio of the banana textile, in water, preferably at 1: 10 ratio.
5, The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the banana textile is first mordanted and then dyed.
6. The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the banana textile is simultaneous mordanted and dyed.
7. The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the banana textile is first dyed and then mordanted.
8. The eco friendly process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mordant solution is prepared by dissolving mordant selected from the group comprising of alum, stannous chloride , ferrous sulphate and chitosam in soft water in a rriateriai to liquor ration of 1:20 at 60° C.