26 dye-yielding trees, plants identified

Siling labuyo. Lanzones. Neem tree. Sineguelas. Acacia. Guava.

What do these and 20 other trees and plants have in common?

These are dye-yielding species and as such hold a potentially colorful niche in the natural dyes export market.

Their commercial potentials have been found in an extensive study done by researchers of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).

The PTRI team headed by Zenaida de Guzman has prepared a list of the newly discovered sources of natural colorants and the proper technique to extract quality dyes following months of rigorous identification process.

Aside from the six species mentioned, the other dye-yielding plants/trees identified were alugbati, bakawan babae, bakawan lalake, bitaog, bunga de china, cashew, castor plant, flame tree, Gmelina, golden shower, kasubha, katmon, pagatpat, pili, alig lalake, albutra, red skinned onion, and rhoeo discolor.

"These plant species are widely grown and distributed in the Philippines and in other tropical regions, including Southeast Asia and South America. These can easily be cultivated in areas with high humidity," the researchers said.

Information about their morphological features and textile applications are now compiled in Gampol Vol. 2, which is expected to be sold in commercial bookstores this year. Ayala Foundation, Inc. is underwriting the publiction’s printing.

PTRI, headed by Director Carlos Tomboc, said that natural dyes are high-priced coloring materials that give distinct color to food, cosmetics, and textile materials such as yar, paper, natural fibers, and cloth.

Dyes are commonly extracted from plants’ roots, barks, and flowers.

Synthetic dyes, however, are cheaper, easier to apply, and abundant. Textile manufacturers favor such convenience despite the environmental problems resulting from the use of synthetic dyes.

Thus, pointed out Dr. Tomboc, government should continue its efforts to revive the natural dyeing technology to cut down the country’s heavy reliance on synthetic dyes imports and to explore advantages that can be derived from indigenous sources.

The country imports most of its dyeing, tanning, and other coloring materials.

With the huge domestic demand, PTRI and other key government agencies have developed technologies and other steps to upgrade and standardize the local natural dyeing practices. – RAF