This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of maysin extracted from cornsilk as a fabric colorant. Specifically, it sought to verify the presence of maysin in cornsilk, compare colors produced using different mordants with cornsilk extract, and compare the color intensity and lasting effect of fabric dyed with pure cornsilk solution versus combinations with other natural extracts or commercial dye. Results found that CuSO4 produced the best color intensity as a mordant. Pure cornsilk extract produced comparable color intensity and lasting effect to synthetic dye. The extracts were found to contain flavonoids and could be used to produce natural fabric dyes.

1. Fabric Coloring
Effect of Maysin
extracted from
Cornsilk (Maydis
stigma)
Angeles, Julie Ann V.
Dioneda, Ma. Christina M.
IV – 28 BSE Chemistry

2. Statement of the Problem
• The main goal of this study is to determine the
effectiveness of maysin extracted from cornsilk
(Maydis stigma) as fabric colorant.
Specifically, it aims to obtain the following objectives:
1. Determine the presence of maysin from mature
cornsilk (Maydis stigma) using phytochemical
testing;

3. 2. Compare the color of the fabric colorant
produced from extracts of mature cornsilk
(Maydis stigma) using various mordant (CuSO4,
alum, and combination of CuSO4 and alum) and
choose the best color using survey method.

4. 3. Using the best mordant compare the pure cornsilk
solution with the solutions of cornsilk extract and
other ingredients in a (ingredient: cornsilk), 50:50 ratio
and the equivalent color of commercial fabric dye in
terms of the following:
a. color intensity of the fabric dye
b. lasting effect of the colorant

5. Materials and Methods
Collection Verification of the
of Cornsilk sample species in
Sample BPI
Preparation
of the
sample
Preparation of the
Extraction Test for flavonoids
ethanolic extracts
Process
of the cornsilk

6. Preparation Mixing of fabric dye ingredients
of the fabric and the addition of cornsilk
colorant extracts
Soaking of the cloth into the
Mordanting prepared mordants (CuSO4,
alum, CuSO4 + alum)

7. Observation of the
Test for the effectiveness of the prepared
effectiveness Application of the fabric fabric colorant from cornsilk
of the fabric dye onto the cloth sample and determination of
colorant the best mordant used.
Observation of the
effectiveness of the
combination of cornsilk extract
with other natural dye
ingredients.
Comparison of the prepared
fabric colorant from pure
cornsilk to the formulations and
to the commercial fabric dye

8. Results and Discussions

9. Comparative Analysis of the color produced using different mordants applied
in the fabrics
Table 1.
Color produced using pure cornsilk extract after the first dyeing process
Mordants
Time (min.) None CuSO4 Alum CuSO4 + Alum
20
25
30

10. Survey Results
Which has the best color intensity?
CHOICES NUMBER OF VOTES
a. Without mordant 0
b. With CuSO4 9
c. With alum 1
d. With CuSO4 + alum 2
TOTAL 12
*The fabrics used in the dyeing process were submerged in the following mordants.

11. Color Intensity of the Natural Fabric Colorants
Table 2.
Combination of natural extracts using the cloth submerged in the best mordant.
Extracts
Time (min.)
Pure Cornsilk CE + OE CE + TE Synthetic Dye
20
25
30
Legend: CE – cornsilk extracts OE – Onion extract TE – Tea extract

12. Table 3.
Standard color of the natural extract versus the combination of the natural extract
and corn silk extract
Extracts
Time (min.)
CE + OE OE CE + TE TE
20
25
30
Legend: CE – cornsilk extracts OE – Onion extract TE – Tea extract

13. Lasting Effect of the Natural Fabric Colorants
Table 4.
Comparison of the dyed fabrics before and after 5 days of washing
Extracts
Time (min.) CE CE + OE
Before After Before After
20
25
30
Legend: CE – cornsilk extracts OE – Onion extract

14. Table 4.
Comparison of the dyed fabrics before and after 5 days of washing
Extracts
Time (min.) CE + TE Synthetic dye
Before After Before After
20
25
30
Legend: CE – cornsilk extracts TE – Tea extract

15. Conclusions
•The extracts from cornsilk have flavonoid contents and
thus could be made into a fabric dye.
•The intensity of the colorant was helped by CuSO4
which is chosen as the best mordant.
•The colorant made from the cornsilk extracts
has characteristics of a good fabric dye that is
comparable to that of the synthetic ones.

16. Recommendations
• Search for other extraction methods in extracting the
compounds from the corn.
• Use other phytochemical tests to prove the presence
of the flavonoid in the extract.
• Obtain crude extract using rotary evaporator.
• Use other fixing agents and increase the time of
boiling the fabrics in the dye bath.
• Utilize other parts of the corn that is to be put on
waste to make a fabric colorant.