The textile industry is ambitiously parading towards circularity and curtailing its dependency on fossil fuels hence the instigated research that adheres to Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) and benefits the environment and human health alike. The current research experimented with innovative sources of plant-based biomaterials namely dandelion leaves, bilberry leaves, nettle leaves, and violet herb for application on cotton fabric as biomordants and colourants. The AAS analysis of mild 6% herbal solution revealed ferrous content of 6.78 mg/l in violet herb and 5.03 mg/l of the copper content in dandelion leaves applicable on cotton fabrics as biomordants thereby preventing the depletion of copper and ferrous elements mineral ores. A fair lightfastness rating and good to very good wash and rub fastness test results were obtained individually. The maximum K/S value of 13.95 was gained on cotton fabrics treated with a mild herbal infusion of bilberry leaves and coloured with violet herbs. The ATR-FTIR peak analysis noted strong = C-H bend of alkenes, strong C = O stretch of α and β unsaturated esters, and strong C-O stretch of carboxylic acids functional groups in raw herbs and its treated cotton fabrics. The dissolved oxygen (DO), oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), and potential of Hydrogen (pH) values were found in the acceptable range for all the spent solutions left after colouration of cotton fabrics with violet herbs hence sustainable. The data set obtained was statistically validated with ANOVA one-way test. Life cycle analysis and clinical investigation on potential therapeutic benefits of herbal fabrics to the wearer are suggested for future research and development.

In this study, the protective effects of 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L doses of anthocyanin-rich bilberry extracts (ABE) against the toxicity caused by 20 μM copper(II) chloride (CuCl₂) on Allium cepa L. were investigated. Alterations in weight gain, germination percentage, and root elongation were evaluated as physiological parameters while micronucleus (MN), mitotic index (MI), and chromosomal abnormality (CA) frequency were studied as cytogenetic parameters. Oxidative stress indicators such as malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and catalase (CAT) activity were analyzed and also damages in root tip meristem cells were determined by cross sections. As a result, it was found that the percentage of germination, weight gain, root length, and MI decreased and the frequency of MN and CAs increased with CuCl₂ treatment. CuCl₂ exposure caused a significant increase in SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels. A number of anatomical abnormalities and damages were detected in the cross sections of CuCl₂-treated roots. On the other hand, ABE applications ameliorated notably all copper-induced damages in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the powerful protective potential of ABE against copper-induced toxicity was proven through an extensive study in a popular plant model.

The purpose of this study was to explore a possible relationship between the availability of metals in soil (Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) and their concentrations in leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus L. as a species which has been reported to be a successful colonist of acid-and-heavy metal-contaminated soil. Analysis also concerned the antioxidant response of plants from three heavily polluted (immediate vicinity of: zinc smelter, iron smelter and power plant) and three relatively clean sites (nature reserve, ecological site and unprotected natural forest community) in southern Poland. The contents of glutathione, non-protein thiols, protein, proline and activity of guaiacol peroxidase in leaves of bilberry were measured. Generally, the concentrations of metals in the HNO3 and CaCl2 extracants of the soil from the polluted sites were higher. Moreover, the antioxidant responses were also elevated in bilberries in the polluted sites. Significant positive relationships between Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in soil and in the plants were found. In the leaves of V. myrtillus from the polluted sites, higher concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were noted (In Miasteczko Śląskie respectively 6.26, 157.09 and 207.17 mg kg(-1) d.w.). We found a positive correlation between the increase in the NPTs and protein contents as well as the Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in V. myrtillus. Cd, Pb and Zn also decreased guaiacol peroxidase activity. However, the activity of this enzyme increased under Fe. A decreasing trend in glutathione contents was observed with increasing iron and manganese concentrations in bilberry leaves. Parameters such as protein, non-protein -SH groups and changes in GPX activity seem to be universal, sensitive and correlated well with heavy metal stress.