Improving the Performance of Flax Seed Gum using Metal Oxides for Using as a Thickening Agent in Printing Paste of Different Textile Fabrics

Flax seeds gum is a heteropolysaccharide consist of neutral and acidic components that makes up approximately 8% of seed mass. Flaxseed gum was extracted from brown flaxseeds by the hot water extraction method. The rheological properties and the viscosity of the printing paste were measured. The effect of flaxseeds gum on the printing properties of different fabrics (natural and synthetic fabrics) was studied by measuring the color strength value (K/S) and related color parameters of the printed fabrics. Flaxseeds gums do have inherent problems associated with their use as a thickener including uncontrolled rates of hydration, drop-in viscosity on storage, and the possibility of microbial contamination to Improving the Performance of Flax Seed Gum. Two different metal oxides including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in normal form and Nano form were prepared and characterized to Improving the Performance of Flax Seed Gum. The presence of metal oxides in both their natural and nanoforms on flaxseeds gum was found to significantly increase its resistance to bacteria and fungi as well as its life span and ability to resist rotting for the longest time feasible.