Green Dyeing: Harnessing Flower Pigments from Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., Nerium oleander L., and Tagetes erecta L. for Sustainable Textile Applications

This study explores the potential of Lagerstroemia speciosa, Tagetes erecta, and Nerium oleander as sustainable natural dyes with dual functionality—providing vibrant coloration and antimicrobial properties. Through phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial testing, L. speciosa demonstrated superior antibacterial activity (particularly against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis) and excellent textile dyeing performance, attributed to its high flavonoid and phenolic content. T. erecta exhibited strong potential for candle applications due to thermally stable carotenoid pigments, while N. oleander showed limited efficacy. Environmental assessments revealed that these plant-based dyes significantly reduce chemical oxygen demand (89–92%) compared to synthetic alternatives while remaining fully biodegradable. The antimicrobial properties of L. speciosa suggest promising applications in medical textiles and infection-resistant fabrics. This research validates the use of these floral species as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes, supporting sustainable manufacturing and circular bioeconomy principles. Future studies should focus on optimizing extraction techniques and scaling production for industrial applications.