Biosurfactants from urban wastes as auxiliaries for textile dyeing

To promote biobased products for the industry, six biosurfactants isolated from green and food urban residues aged under aerobic digestion for 0-60 days were investigated for their potential to perform as auxiliaries for dyeing cellulose acetate fabric with water-insoluble dyes. The experimental plan included investigation of the chemical nature, surface activity, and power to enhance dye solubility in water, as well as dyeing test performed under a variety of experimental conditions presenting a range of challenge levels. For comparison, the same investigation was performed on commercial synthetic surfactants. The investigated biosurfactants exhibited chemical composition and surface activity properties presumably related to their different biomass sources. However, no significant performance differences in textile dyeing were evident among the biosurfactants and between biosurfactants and synthetic surfactants. The results encourage product and process development for exploitation of biomass residues as a source of chemicals to recycle to the industry.