Optimization of Ultrasonic Extraction Method of Natural Dyes from Xylocarpus Moluccensis

Problem statement: Traditionally the extractionof natural dyes from plant materials was done by soakingmethod or boiling method which requires longer extractiontime, higher temperature and higher consumption of water.Extractions of colorant using boiling method normally producea small amount of yield. Low yield of natural dyes is one ofthe factors that limit the use of natural dyes in comparisonwith synthetic dyes. Hence, there is a growing demand fordeveloping suitable extraction technique for more efficient andeffective extraction of natural textile dyes. Approach: Thisstudy demonstrated ultrasonic cleaner as a technique to extractcolorant from a selected plant, i.e Xylocarpus moluccensisspecies which can be found abundantly in peninsular Malaysia.Colorant from combination of heartwood and bark of Xylocarpus moluccensis was extracted at different ultrasonicvolume, time and temperature. The color strength of the dyewas analyzed by using Lab Scan XE UV-visiblespectrophotometer. Result: Results show the highestpercentage of total yield dye extract using ultrasonic cleanerwas produced at optimum condition (extraction time: 80minutes, extraction temperature: 49oC and sonic volume:medium) with 80ml of 0.1M sodium hydroxide as the solvent.The yield produced was higher than that of boiling method andthus gave higher intensity of red crude extract. Conclusion:The utilization of ultrasonic cleaner was found to havesignificant improvement in the extraction of natural dyescompared to traditional boiling method.