In the lush fields of Southeast Asia, a humble onion is revolutionizing the textile industry, offering a sustainable path forward for one of the world’s most polluting sectors. The Dayak onion, scientifically known as Eleutherine americana, is at the heart of groundbreaking research led by Walaikorn Nitayaphat, a chemist at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, Thailand. This isn’t just about creating pretty fabrics; it’s about transforming the way we think about waste, sustainability, and the future of textiles.
Nitayaphat and her team have found a way to turn sugarcane leaves, a significant agricultural byproduct, into a valuable resource. By blending these leaves with cotton to create yarn, and then dyeing it with an extract from the Dayak onion bulb, they’ve opened up a world of possibilities for eco-friendly textiles. But the innovation doesn’t stop at the dye. The researchers have also explored the use of eco-friendly mordants—substances used to fix dyes in textiles—to enhance the color and durability of the yarn.
The process involves treating the yarn with hydrogen peroxide for bleaching, then applying the natural dye. The team experimented with different mordanting methods and agents, including alum, calcium chloride, and ferrous sulfate. The results were striking. “We found that the yarn has a moderate affinity for the extracted dye even without mordants,” Nitayaphat explains. “But using different types of mordanting agents and methods with the natural dye produces a range of shades and enhances the color strength and properties of the dyed yarn.”
The implications for the textile industry are immense. Currently, the industry is one of the most polluting, with synthetic dyes and chemical treatments wreaking havoc on the environment. This research offers a sustainable alternative, using abundant, non-toxic materials that are readily available. The Dayak onion, in particular, is known for its vibrant red color, but the researchers found that different mordants can produce a spectrum of shades, from yellow to brown to black.
The study, published in the Journal of Natural Fibers, also known as ‘Journal of Natural Fibers’ in English, highlights the potential for industrial-scale application. The yarn dyed with Dayak onion bulb extract showed excellent fastness properties, meaning the color remains vibrant even after washing and exposure to light. This is a crucial factor for commercial viability.
But the impact of this research goes beyond the textile industry. It’s a testament to the power of innovation in turning waste into wealth. Sugarcane leaves, once discarded, now have the potential to become a valuable resource. The Dayak onion, a plant often overlooked, is now a key player in the quest for sustainable textiles.
As we look to the future, this research offers a glimpse into what’s possible. It’s a call to action for industries to rethink their practices, to embrace sustainability, and to innovate. It’s a reminder that the solutions to our problems often lie in the most unexpected places. In this case, it’s a humble onion, growing in the fields of Southeast Asia, ready to revolutionize the way we think about textiles, sustainability, and the future of our planet.