Towards a greener future: utilization of Citrullus colocynthis seed oil emulsion as sustainable functional soft finish for textiles application

Fabric softness and hand feel play a pivotal role in consumer acceptance of textiles. However, the use of conventional textile softeners has raised concerns due to their extensive chemical utilization and associated toxicity. As a result, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives in textile finishing. This study focuses on exploring the potential of Citrullus colocynthis seed oil as a functional and sustainable textile softeners alternative to conventional softeners. The research involves the emulsification of C. colocynthis oil using non-toxic emulsifying agents and its application to cellulosic fabric through a commercial pad-dry-cure method. The treated fabric is then evaluated for its physical, comfort, and functional performance, and compared with fabric treated with commercial fatty acid softeners. The findings demonstrate that the fabric treated with C. colocynthis oil exhibits improved comfort (both stiffness and flexural rigidity) and tear strength with added functional performance. Notably, the treated fabric exhibits a significant improvement in wrinkle resistance, with a remarkable 64o increase. Furthermore, the C. colocynthis oil treatment demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. By investigating the potential of natural oils as multifunctional textile finishes, this study contributes to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly textile finishing processes. The use of C. colocynthis oil as a natural softener offers advantages in terms of biodegradability, reduced toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. This research represents a significant step towards addressing the environmental impact of textile finishing while maintaining desired fabric quality and performance. Graphical abstract