Abstract

To ensure safety and security from the insects, it has become essential to develop the use of insect repellent agents that can be applied on the clothes in the form of fabric finishing. Unlike synthetic insect repellent, natural insect repellent does not have any disadvantages. In this article, the flowers of Tagetes patula commonly known as “Marigold” are chosen as natural insect repellent. Various extracts (aqueous, methanol, ethyl acetate and n-heptane) of marigold flowers have been prepared and investigated. It is found that the methanolic extract is most satisfactory amongst all for both the bamboo and wool fabric as far as dye exhaustion and color yields are concerned which has been proved by K/S values, D65 (10 deg observer) values, TLC analysis for compound determination, washing fastness record for bond formation analysis and insect repellent property. This study, therefore, suggests that extract of Tagetes patula flowers can be used as a colorant as well as an insect repellent for wool and bamboo fabric.

Key words: Bamboo;Dye;Marigold;Insect Repellent