Cashew-nut husk Natural Dye Extraction Using Taguchi Optimization: Green Chemistry Approach

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">Using natural dyes instead of their synthetic counter parts is very good example of implementation of green chemistry principles. The present study is focused on optimization of extraction conditions during natural dye extraction from cashew-nut husk, an agro-waste. Taguchi technique was employed for optimizing the parameters namely particle size of the raw dyestuff, solid-liquid ratio, time of extraction and method of extraction assistance. The results indicated 150 micron particle size; 1:20 as solid-solvent ratio, three hours for extraction and enzyme addition as assistance for extraction as the optimum conditions for extraction. The absorbance values for the control and optimum extraction runs were found to be 0.945 and 1.381 respectively. The extraction carried out with optimum conditions showed significant improvement in the extraction efficiency in terms of 46 % increase in the dye yield.</span>