Browsing by Author "Namukose, Latifah"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Effect of solvent choice on extraction yield and photodegradation of lawsone from lawsonia inermis leaves.
    (Busitema University, 2026) Namukose, Latifah
    Natural dyes are highly treasured for their eco-friendly properties. However, their industrial use is limited by low extraction yields and photostability. This study investigated the effect of solvent choice on extraction yield and photodegradation of lawsone from Lawsonia inermis leaves over a period of 14 days under darkness and light conditions. Six solvents were used and these were; distilled water, 1M hydrochloric acid, 0.1M sodium hydroxide, 70% ethanol, hexane and ethyl acetate. Extraction yields were determined gravimetrically. 0.1M sodium hydroxide showed the highest yield. Polar solvents gave higher yields compared to non-polar solvents. The stability of the natural color of lawsone from Lawsonia inermis plant leaves extract in distilled water, 1M hydrochloric acid, 0.1M sodium hydroxide, 70% ethanol, hexane and ethyl acetate under sunlight and darkness conditions was also studied. The changes in color intensity were monitored for a period of 14 days with a UV-Vis spectrometer at 334 nm. At the end of the study, 5.79%, 4.55%, 11.80%, 4.23%, 3.60% and 3.39% of lawsone was lost in 14 days during storage of samples in darkness for hexane, ethyl acetate, 1M hydrochloric acid, 0.1M sodium hydroxide, distilled water, 70% ethanol extracts respectively. 97.76%, 78.16%, 41.84%, 33.72%, 30.35% and 13.18% lawsone was lost in 14 days after sunlight exposure for hexane, ethyl acetate, 1M hydrochloric acid, 0.1M sodium hydroxide, distilled water, 70% ethanol extracts respectively. Hexane extract exhibited the fastest degradation while ethanol and distilled water extracts showed slower degradation rates for samples exposed to sunlight whereas 1M hydrochloric acid extract exhibited fastest degradation for samples stored in darkness. The effect of storage condition on color loss was predominant in 1M hydrochloric acid extract. The findings represented the importance of solvent polarity in balancing the yield and stability, thus guiding sustainable natural dye production and storage.