The Dyeability and Antibacterial Activity of Wool Fabric Dyed with Cochineal

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dyeability and antibacterial activity on wool fabric dyed with cochineal at variable dyeing conditions. Al, Cr, Fe, Cu and Sn were used as mordants and adsorption was compared with different mordanting methods. The optimum dyeing conditions of wool fabrics were dyeing concentration 2.0%(o.w.s), dyeing temperature $60^{\circ}C$, pH 3 and dyeing time 30 minutes. The pre-mordanting method was preferred for Al and Cr, and the post-mordanting one was preferred for Cu, Sn and Fe to achieve better dyeing. The optimum mordanting conditions of wool fabrics dyed with cochineal were mordanting concentration of 1%(o.w.s), mordanting temperature $60^{\circ}C$, and dyeing time 30 minutes. Wool fabrics dyed with cochineal showed a little antibacterial activity, but it was increased by Cu and Sn mordanting. The light fastness and perspiration fastness of wool fabric treated with cochineal were improved by mordanting.