In spite of their inferior fastness

In spite of their inferior fastness, natural dyes are more
acceptable to environmentally conscious people around the
world (Chandramouli, 1995). The commercially successful natural
dyes, tea is unique because of its widespread use as a beverage.
Tea plant is classified as Camellia Sinensis – variety
sinensis and variety assamica. There are six types of teas:
green, yellow, dark, white, oolong and black. This classification
is based on the processing method employed, the degree of fermentation and the oxidation of the polyphenols present
in tea (Gulrajani, 1992). The different classes of compound
found in tea include: amino acids, caffeine, carbohydrates,
carotenoids, chlorophyll, lipids, mineral, nucleotides, organic
acids, polyphones, saponins, unsaponifiable compound and
volatile compounds of the polyphenols, catechins are the principle
colorant species. Consider research work is being undertaken
around the world on the application of the natural dyes
(Gulrajani, 2001; Iriyama et al., 1974). Recently paper has
published an exhaustive review on the subject of the natural
dyes in textile application. However, there is work reported
in the literature on the use of the tea as natural dyes in the textile
application such as cotton and jute fabric (Tsatsaroni and
Liakopoulou-Kyriakides, 1995).