Abstract

The study evaluated the acceptability of 100% cotton fabric treated with dye extracted from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyces based on its phytochemical compositions and organoleptic attributes. A quasi-experimental design was adopted by the study and was carried out at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study population comprised of 41 panelists made up of 17 Lecturers and 24 Postgraduate students drawn from the university. Spectrophotometric and gravimetric methods were adopted for the quantitative analysis of phytochemical constituents of extracts from roselle calyces. Questionnaire was used to collect data on the organoleptic attributes and acceptability of cotton fabric treated with roselle dye and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including percentages, means, and standard deviation. A null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. The following phytochemical components were present in roselle dye extract: carotenoid (1.96%), flavonoid (0.02%), lutein (0.03%), polyphenol (0.12%), tannin (0.88%) per 100 g of roselle calyces. Organoleptic attributes of cotton fabric treated with dye extracted from roselle calyces identified include: Fairly warm maroon colour hue, fairly light value, fairly brilliant chroma, smooth and fairly soft textures, odourless and even shade colour which were all accepted as good attributes of dye on fabrics by both categories of evaluators. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the mean rating responses of both categories of evaluators on the acceptability of the organoleptic attributes of cotton fabric treated with roselle dye. The null hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of significance. Roselle dye has good organoleptic attributes and could be used for 100% cotton fabric colouration.

Key words: Phytochemical, organoleptic attributes, roselle dye, cotton fabric.