Improvement of dyeability and antibacterial properties of gelatin treated cotton fabrics with synthesized reactive dye

Cotton fabrics were treated with gelatin polymer to enhance its dyeability, color strength using synthesized reactive dyes and antibacterial properties. Pad-dry-cue method was used for the treatment process. The prepared treatment pad-bath was contained dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU), ammonium dihydrogen phosphate catalyst and the gelatin at concentration (5 %, w/w) and with a non-ionic wetting agent. Then The fabrics were dyed with synthesized reactive dyes. The dyed samples were assessment towards both dyeing behavior and antibacterial activity. These results indicating high quality dyeing properties, However, monochlorotriazine reactive dyes showed higher exhaustion and fixation values, calorimetric data (CIE L*a*b*C*h(0)) and fastness properties of the dyed cotton fabrics. In addition, these reactive dyes have higher antibacterial activity toward Gram negative and Gram positive compared with two widely used antibiotics named ciprofloxacin and tetracycline.