Abstract

Natural dyes, derived from renewable biological sources, are increasingly recognized for their environmental benefits and applicability in various industries, including textiles, leather, and food. This study explores the extraction and characterization of dye from Azadirachta indica (neem) bark using ethanol and water as solvents. The yield of the extracted dyes was analyzed via UV-Vis spectroscopy, with maximum absorption wavelengths (λmax) ranging from 450–540 nm for water-extracted dye and 460–530 nm for ethanol-extracted dye. Functional groups were identified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, revealing O–H, C–H, C=O, and N–H stretching vibrations. The percentage yields were 23.4% for ethanol extraction and 32.4% for water extraction, with the extracted dyes appearing as light brown (water) and dark brown (ethanol). This study underscores the potential of neem bark as a sustainable source of natural dyes.