Cosmetic function of textiles treated with fragrance extracts from selected plant species.

Abstract

Lemon grass is used for various purposes as spice in tea, beverages and also its used in the cosmetic industry because it’s essential oil contains aromatic compounds which is citral. Eucalyptus is also used as a spice in beverages, foo preservatives and been used as an insect repellence, eucalyptus contains an aromatic compound called eucalyptol which is responsible for the fragrance in the eucalyptus leaves. Frangipani flowers which is yellow and white is used in cosmetic industries because of its mild scent due to the presence of a few aromatic compounds. Gas chromatography mass spectrometer equipment was used to analyse the components that are present in each essential oil. Citric acid was used as a cross linking agent to bind the oils onto the cotton fabrics, citric acid is a natural crosslinking agent and its biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Two washes were performed on the treated fabrics to assess for the durability of the scents on the fabric, and after these two washes, there was a decrease in the intensity of the scents n the fabrics and his could have been due to cross linking agent being used, since essentials are organic compounds, they could have oxidized during the exposure to air.