Abstract
Cotton sanitary towels were functionalized by probiotic paste with incorporated Lactobacillus L. fermentum LN99, L. rhamnosus LN113, and L. gasseri LN40 in order to reduce the possibility of infection or inflammation during menstruation and to develop a friendlier product. These towels were characterized through elemental composition using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, determination of the pH of aqueous extract, water retention, capillary properties, determination of absorption capacity, and microbiological testing, to assess the antimicrobials’ function and stability of lactic bacteria paste as a coating for sanitary towels. The results of the used methods show that the physical–mechanical properties of towels functionalized by probiotic paste are not significantly different if compared to non-treated ones. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy set the successful functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste due to the occurrence of typical probiotics paste peaks. The pH of the probiotic-functionalized sanitary towels was reduced in comparison to the reference material to an acidified region of pH = 5.6, which is an ideal environment for maintaining physiological pH. The decrease in water retention of towels after functionalization is relatively low (8.48 %). The sorption behavior of towels was worse by up to 15% regardless of the reference material, which is still acceptable from a practical point of view and internal standards of the included company Tosama d.o.o. The probiotic-functionalized sanitary towels absorb synthetic blood faster than the reference ones, due to compatibility of the paste with synthetic blood. Moreover, towels obtain functionalities such as good condition for lactobacilli growth with simultaneous pH adjusting, as well as introducing of Staphylococcus aureus reduction. Functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste showed a commercial potential to reduce the probability of infection during the menstruation cycle, as well as being a more customer-friendly product.
Highlights
As is well known, a modern lifestyle requires the increasing use of tampons and sanitary towels, which opens the possibility of their extended use in the field of gynecology
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste due to the occurrence of typical probiotics paste peaks
Hygienic sanitary towels were functionalized by probiotic paste with the aim to introduce new functionalities of towels
Summary
A modern lifestyle requires the increasing use of tampons and sanitary towels, which opens the possibility of their extended use in the field of gynecology. Tampons and sanitary towels provide protection during the menstrual cycle, but their function is to take care of physiological or pathological vaginal discharge. Women’s intimate areas are protected against infection by a low pH value (below 5) of the vaginal flora. Even a small increase in pH above normal inhibits the development of harmful microorganisms, as it is difficult for them to be reproduced in an acidic environment.[1,2].
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