Antimicrobial activity of cotton and silk fabric with herbal extract by micro encapsulation

Abstract

Objective To explore the antimicrobial activity of microcapsules encapsulated with mixture of herbs like neem, tulsi and turmeric, and its application on cellulosic fabric in the form of microcapsules. Methods The microcapsules were prepared from the mixture of herbs by plain diffusion method, a natural encapsulation technique with yeast and applied on cotton and silk fabric by pad-dry-cure method. The microcapsules were fixed on cotton and silk fabric using the binder UF Silpure FBR-5(PA)B at 120 °C. The antimicrobial activities of the finished fabric were assessed by using three types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas. Results The results of antimicrobial activity from the tests including parallel streak method and disc diffusion method showed that activity of the mixture of herbs was very effective among the three types of bacteria selected, and the antimicrobial activity of prepared microcapsule against Pseudomonas was very good. Conclusions The herbal microcapsule treated fabric could be applied in the field of medicine. The scanning electron microscope photographs ensure the fixing of the microcapsules firmly in the yarn structure of plain woven cotton and silk fabric.