An Investigatory Project

“Avocado (Persea americana) seeds as a

Potential Natural Coloring”

Trisha Joy B. Muyot

IX- Tesla

Mr. Benjamin Cerezo

 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Synthetic dyes came along in the 19th century when William Perkin, a young British
chemist, was trying to create synthetic quinine for medicinal use. He was experimenting with a
substance called coal tar, a byproduct of processing coal.

This rise in the development of synthetic dyes came around the same time as the growth of
industrial fabric production. Effective synthetic dyes were eagerly accepted in the expanding
industry. Germany became a leader in dye production. By World War I, the Germans
manufactured most of the synthetic dyes used in the textile industry. From then on, most mass-
produced fabrics were colored with synthetic chemical dyes. Natural dyes were largely forgotten,
except in places where the synthetic dyes were unavailable, or where people kept traditional
ways of coloring textiles alive.

The reliance on synthetic dyes resulted to the manufacture of colorful, durable and
inexpensive textile dyes. However, the dyeing process using synthetic sources involves the use
of huge amounts of water and, as wastewater, need to be processed before it is released into the
environment because it contains non-biodegradable components. Moreover, additives used
during the dyeing process include harmful substances such as alkalis and acid. Wastewater from
textile dyeing also affects plant life in the water, because many dyes have substances that
decrease the photosynthetic activities of some plants.

A previous study on Azo dyes, a class of synthetic nitrogen-based dyes that produce bright
reds, oranges and yellows reveal that they are most commonly used groups of dyes. While their
production is cost effective, some of them can be dangerous and have toxic and carcinogenic
effects. Other classes of synthetic dyes are also known to be carcinogenic, causing diseases such
as kidney, bladder and liver cancer.

Natural dyes are well known for producing very uncommon, soothing and soft shades as
compared to synthetic dyes. This shift in paradigm in favor of natural dyes is also attributed to
the stringent environmental standards imposed by many countries in response to toxic and
allergic reactions associated with synthetic dyes.Natural dyes exhibit several important
properties that provide them a significant edge over synthetic dyes. Some of these advantages are
as follows: biodegradable, non-toxic and non-allergic; environment friendly and aesthetically
appealing; easy extraction of colors by boiling the plants, berries, leaves, bark or flower heads in
water; fabric dyed with natural dyes exhibits higher UV absorption that can result in reduced
incidence of melanoma; natural dyes are mostly renewable as most of them are plant based
whereas synthetic dyes are petroleum-based that is a non-renewable source of energy.

Despite several limitations, there has been a trend to revive the art of natural dyeing in recent
years. This is largely due to increase in environment consciousness among the general masses
worldwide.
Dyes can be formed by using chemicals that are extracted from earth and mineral sources..
Avocado seeds when ground with water and incubated in the presence of air, develops a bright
orange color in a time-dependent manner. The production of natural and organic dyes does not
pose environmental problems and leaves less carbon footprint. Whereas, synthetic dye
production pose ecological and environmental threats and can also cause worker health
problems. In making synthetic dye, chemicals are used such as zinc and copper as well as
formaldehyde and aniline. Aniline is used frequently and extensively in the production of certain
dyes. The vapor it releases is toxic and carcinogenic. In making synthetic dye, there will be
industrial effluents that will be released into waterways, these gush contain the chemicals said
above and can pose health threats to people depending on waterways for drinking and cooking
and the polluted water can also affect fishes and other marine creatures living in the water body.
Several plant materials which abound in Occidental Mindoro can be used to produce dyes, such
as, avocados.

Avocado is an evergreen tree grown because of its fruit. It is mostly produced in tropical
countries, including the Philippines. Avocadoes have greenish or yellowish flesh, with a buttery
texture and a nutty flavor. The seed accounts for 16% of total avocado weight, and is an under-
utilized resource. The seed or the pit of the avocado is considered the non-edible part of the fruit.
Normally, the seed is discarded as residue. The seed waste may represent a severe ecological
problem. This study is an attempt to extract natural organic dye material from avocado seeds to
be used as textile dye using iron powder as mordant. Mordants are metal atoms that attach to the
dye at the oxygen and nitrogen atoms through formation of coordinate bonds. Mordants not only
give the dye an affinity, but in many cases, they produce different colors and improve the
fastness of a dye. There are many plants which may yield a color that is brilliant and pleasing but
fades easily, unless fixed by using a mordant

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the following :

1. What natural dye pigments can be produced from avocado seeds; and

2. How does the mordant iron powder affect the shades of the pigments produced?

Hypothesis

The study has the following hypotheses

Null

1. No natural, organic dye pigment can be extracted from avocado seeds.

2. The mordant iron powder will not affect the shades of the dye extracted from the avocado
seeds.

Significance of the Study

Three beneficial effects are expected from the result of this study:

1.) Dyes derived from plants, fruits and seeds offer tremendous environmental advantages. They
are renewable and biodegradable and would therefore emit less carbon.

2.) People of all classes would be able to buy cheap dye with trendy hues.

3.) People would be able to purchase fabric and clothes that are safe and not carcinogenic.

Scope and Limitation

This research will focus on the extraction of natural dye pigments from avocado seeds for
use in textiles and using a mordant, iron powder, to increase or decrease the hue or produce
different colors. This will not cover the subsequent chemical content testing of the dye nor will it
address the colorfastness of the dyed fabric using the pigment from avocado seeds.

Definition of Terms

Avocado pits- main ingredient used in the study, are the seeds which are inedible and generally
considered a waste material.

Dye- a natural or synthetic substance used to color textiles.

Mordant-are metal atoms that attach to the dye at the oxygen and nitrogen atoms through
formation of coordinate bonds. Mordants not only give the dye an affinity, but in many cases,
they produce different colors and improve the fastness of a dye
Conceptual Framework

Avocado Extraction of Avocado

pit natural dye pits as
from avocado
Water pits by boiling natural
and addition of
colorants
Fabric mordant
 CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

A. Ingredients

Cleaned pits of avocadoes

Water

Iron powder

B. Equipment

Pot

Fabric

Wooden ladle

Stove

Tongs

C. Procedure

First, put avocado stones into a saucepan containing water (increase according to the amount of
fabric you want to dye)  Then, bring saucepan to boil, then leave to simmer. The color should
start to change within half an hour. Add iron powder to intensify the hue. After dye has turned a
deep enough color, heat can be turned down. Remove the avocado stones and debris, leaving
nothing but the dye behind – this could help achieve a more even color as any fabric touching the
stones could potentially end up a different color. Next, add fabrics or yarns to the dye. After
adding the fabrics, leave for several hours, stirring every now and then until satisfied with the
color. Lastly, remove fabrics or yarns with tongs, rinse and leave to dry.