REACTIVE DYE PRINTING ON COTTON FABRIC USING MODIFIED STARCH OF WILD TARO CORMS AS A NEW THICKENING AGENT

This study investigated the use of a thickening agent derived from modified starch of wild taro corms in the screen printing of cotton fabric using reactive dye. The best conditions for developing the print paste and steaming time in order to obtain maximum color yield were established. The results revealed impressive color fastness properties in the printed samples; although, the printed fabric possessed slightly lesser tensile and tear strength, in comparison with the unprinted fabric. The printed fabric also exhibited increased bending stiffness properties. Largely, this study reveals that the printing paste containing the thickening agent derived from carboxymethyl starch within wild taro corms can be utilized in the printing of cotton fabric using reactive dye.