Emodin and Dermocybin Natural Anthraquinones as Mordant Dyes for Wool and Polyamide

Wool and polyamide are dyed with the pure natural anthraquinones, emodin and dermocybin, using the mordant dyeing technique. The anthraquinones are isolated from the fungus Dennocybe sanguined. Potassiumaluminum sulphate, potassium dichromate, cobaltous sulphate, and ferrous sulphate are used as mordants. The color of each dyed material is investigated in terms of the Cielab L*, a*, and b* values, and color-fastnesses to light, washing, and rubbing are tested according to the ISO standards. Emodin dyes wool and polyamide yellow and red, whereas dermocybin confers purple and violet colors with color-fastness properties from good to moderate. Our procedure is facile and may be considered equivalent to the winch technique. The results show that wool and polyamide have a high uptake for the pure natural anthraquinones. These compounds have significant potential for new dyeing techniques, and they can provide useful alternatives to synthetic dyes.