PTRI researchers identify 26 new dye-yielding plants

By Mary Charlotte Fresco
MediaCore, STII

A team of experts at the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Textile Research Institute successfully identified 26 new dye-yielding plants, holding a potentially colorful niche in natural dyes export market.

The team sewed a list of the newly discovered sources of natural colorants and the proper technique to extract quality dyes following months of rigorous identification process.

The list includes acacia (Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr), albutra (Arcangelisia flava), alig lalake (Morinda brachata Roxb.), alder (Alnus spp), alugbati (Basella lucida Linn), antsoan dilaw (Senna spectabilis (D.C) Irvin), bakawan babae (Rhizopbora mucronata), bakawan lalake (Rhizopbora apiculata), guava (Psidium guajava), bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum), Bunga de china (Adonidia merrilli (Becc.), cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn), castor plant (Ricinus communis L.), flame tree (Delonix regia Bojer), Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb), golden shower (Cassia Fistula Linn), kasubha (Carthamus tinctorius L.), katmon (Dillenia philippinensis), lansones (Lansium domesticum Corr.), neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), pagatpat (Sonneratia sp.), pili (canarium luzonicum Blume), red skinned onion (Allium haematochiton), rhoeo discolor (Tradescanthia spathacea), siling labuyo (Capsicum spp.), and sinegeulas (Spondias perrpurea L.)

These plant species are widely grown and distributed in the Philippines and in other tropical regions including Southeast Asia and South America.  These can be easily cultivated in areas with high humidity, researcher team leader Zenaida de Guzman said.

Information about the plants' morphological features and textile applications are now being compiled in Gampol Vol. 2, which is expected to be sold in commercial bookstores in January.  Ayala Foundation Inc will shoulder the printing of the book.

Natural dyes are high-priced coloring materials that give distinct color to food, cosmetics, and textile materials such as yarn, paper, natural fibers, and cloth.  Dyes are commonly extracted from plant's roots, bark, and flowers.

Synthetic dyes, however, are cheaper, easier to apply, and abundant.  Textile manufacturers favor such convenience despite the many known environmental problems resulting from the use of synthetic dyes.

The textile industry is one of the major sources of pollutants in the environment discharging harmful and toxic effluents in the water systems, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported.

The government should continue its efforts to revive the natural dyeing technology to cut down the country's heavy reliance on synthetic dyes imports and to explore advantages that can be derived from indigenous sources, PTRI Director Carlos Tomboc said.

The Philippine imports most of its dyeing, tanning, and other coloring materials in the absence of local producers of either synthetic or natural dyestuffs, PTRI reported.  National Statistics Office data showed that Philippine imports of synthetic dyes and other coloring materials reached US$26,849 for January—July.

With the huge domestic demand, PTRI and other key agencies developed technologies and other steps to upgrade and standardize the local natural dyeing practices.  Several dye extraction facilities were built to facilitate a simpler and shorter dyeing process.

The latest natural dye common service facility was installed in one community in Aklan improving the villagers' skills in dyeing export-bound abaca fibers and handicrafts.

PTRI also introduced pre-treatment process that involves scouring and bleaching of textile materials so that fibers absorb colorant evenly.  The agency also developed a technology to produce natural dyes in powder form using spray dryer, which works best in silk and wool materials and also applicable to ramie, cotton, abaca, and rayon.