Azaphilone colorant applied in textile matrices

• Grant number: 24/02968-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Valéria de Carvalho Santos Ebinuma
• Grantee: Leonardo Henrique Rotta
• Supervisor: Riikka Raisanen
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Helsinki, Finland
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/12639-5 - Agro-industrial waste hydrolysate as carbon source for azaphilone colorants production, BP.IC

Abstract

The impact of product color on consumer acceptance is a well-established phenomenon, particularly within the textile sector. Presently, the majority of companies in this industry employ synthetic colorants in their consumer goods. However, concerns have arisen regarding the reported health issues and environmental contamination associated with the use of these synthetic colorants. To address this issue, an alternative solution involves the utilization of natural colorants derived from sources such as plants and microorganisms. These natural colorants are distinguished not only by their origin but also by their notable biodegradability. Despite their potential, the exploration of biocoloring agents in the textile industry remains limited. This limitation is attributed to challenges, primarily the lower stability of natural colorants when compared to their synthetic counterparts. Consequently, additional measures such as the use of mordants or green structural modifications become necessary in certain cases. This project endeavors to overcome these challenges by focusing on the application of natural azaphilone colorants in various textile matrices. The approach includes incorporating additional fixation steps as needed, with a comprehensive evaluation of results across different parameters. The ultimate goal is to assess the feasibility and viability of integrating natural azaphilone colorants into the textile production process.