Synergistic effect of hydrolyzed collagen in the dyeing of wool

• First ever report on the use of hydrolyzed collagen in the dyeing of wool.
• Synergistic effect in the dyeing of wool with reactive and acid dyes.
• The dyeing mechanism of wool involving hydrolyzed collagen elucidated.

The effect of hydrolyzed collagen in the dyeing of wool was investigated. The main objective of the study was to enhance the exhaustion of the reactive and acid dyes on wool by using hydrolyzed collagen as a dyebath additive. First of all, the optimum dyeing parameters were determined followed by the optimization of the proportion of hydrolyzed collagen to be added to the dyebath. Study was also carried out to determine the most adequate fraction of the hydrolyzed collagen that can ensure high dye affinity to wool and the dyeing mechanism was elucidated. The results are promising and contribute toward the “greening” of the wool dyeing process, as the hydrolyzed collagen is a natural and bio-degradable product.