Institutional dimension for sustainable development: the relationship of organic and conventional cotton farming with government

This study aimed to examine the institutional dimension of conventional and organic cotton farming; specifically, the relationships between farms and government organizations. In both, conventional and organic production systems, the farmers are located in varying institutional environments. These environments include a social capital formed by relationships of trust and cognitive affinities. This study focused on the social capital and guidelines for sustainable development. Multiple study cases were used for explanatory purposes. Such cases refer to a conventional cotton farming business and a civil society organization dedicated to organic cotton farming, both located in the state of Piauí. A comparative analysis perspective was adopted based on the elements of content analysis. The results showed that the conventional cotton farming business comprises relationships with governmental organizations that are predominantly oriented towards economic efficiency purposes, while the family-based organic cotton farming association comprises relationships oriented by economic, social, and environmental objectives. The present study extends the discussion on these topics by analyzing the institutional dimension oriented towards the sustainable development premises.

Organic Cotton Clothing Purchase Behavior: A Comparative Study of Consumers in the United States and Bangladesh

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the differences and similarities of organic cotton clothing (OCC) purchase behaviors of the consumers who lie at the top and the bottom of the apparel supply chain. The influences of consumers’ sustainability knowledge and social norms on consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions were examined to understand within the framework of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Sample data were collected from the United States and Bangladesh and, finally, 136 useable responses were used for the data analysis. Among the useable responses, 85 samples were from the US (containing 91.76% female participants and 4.71% male participants) and 51 responses were from the Bangladesh sample (containing 7.84% female participants and 88.24% male participants). A structural equation model was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings showed that for US consumers, sustainability knowledge was a powerful predictor of positive attitudes towards OCC, while for Bangladeshi consumers, it was not. In the context of social norms, Bangladeshi consumers demonstrated a strong positive attitudes formation whereas American consumers were found to display less strong relationships. OCC marketers and retailers should concentrate on educating consumers about the real benefits of organic cotton consumption by disseminating proper information about organic cotton fiber and its processing.

Development of Advanced Textile Finishes Using Nano-Emulsions from Herbal Extracts for Organic Cotton Fabrics

The development of textile finishing with improved functional properties has been a growing interest among industry and scientists worldwide. The recent global pandemic also enhanced the awareness amongst many toward improved hygiene and the use of antimicrobial textiles. Generally, natural herbal components are known to possess antimicrobial properties which are green and eco-friendly. This research reports a novel and innovative method of developing and optimising nano-emulsions using two combinations of herbal extracts produced from Moringa oleifera, curry leaf, coconut oil (nano-emulsion 1) and other using Aegle marmelos with curry leaf and coconut oil (nano-emulsion 2). Nano-emulsions were optimised for their pH, thermal stability, and particle size, and percentage add-on. Organic cotton fabrics (20 and 60 gsm) were finished with nano-emulsions using continuous and batch processes and characterised for their surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The finished fabrics were evaluated for their Whiteness Index, assessed for antimicrobial resistance against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) using AATCC 100 and 147 methods. In addition, fabrics were assessed for their antifungal efficacy (AATCC 30), tensile strength and air permeability. Results suggested that finished organic fabrics with nano-emulsions had antimicrobial resistance, antifungal, wash fastness after 20 washing cycles, and sufficient strength. This novel finishing method suggests that organic cotton fabrics treated with nano-emulsions can be used as a durable antimicrobial textile for healthcare and hygiene textiles.

Organic cotton fabric dyed with dyer's oak and barberry dye by microwave irradiation and conventional methods

In this work, organic cotton fabrics were dyed using barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.), dyer’s oak (Quercus infectoria Olivier) and dyer’s oak + barberry (Quercus infectoria Olivier + Berberis vulgaris L.) by microwave irradiation and conventional dyeing methods. They were used in equal percentages. The dyed fabrics were analyzed by different analytical and technical methods. Colouring compounds were analyzed in the dyed fabrics, dye extractions (before dyeing bath and after dyeing bath) by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD). Identified coloring compounds based on the dyestuff analysis were berberine, berberine derivative, phenolic acid, ellagic acid, ellegic acid derivatives, gallic acid and gallic acid derivative. Colour characteristics of all the dyed fabrics were measured by CIEL*a*b* spectrophotometer and pH values were determined by surface-pH meter. Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDX) was used for imaging and elemental analysis of the surfaces of the dyed organic cotton fabrics. The colouristic and colour fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were investigated and compared with each other. No damage was observed in the fabrics dyed by the microwave and conventional dyeing methods. Almost the same colour yields were obtained in both dyeings using different processing times. According to the analyses and test results, microwave irradiation method is very eligible compared to conventional dyeing methods, considering coloristic properties of dyed fabrics, time saving and the cost effectiveness wise.