Abstract
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.
Highlights
Cotton based textile fabrics retain sufficient moisture [1], offer a large surface area, can absorb moisture from the environment and human body and maintain body temperature
The following section discusses the characterisation of herbal nanoemulsion, including particle size analysis, the thermal stability of herbal nano-emulsions, pH optimisation, determining the percentage add-on of nano-emulsions finish on to the organic cotton fabrics, and determination of Whiteness Index of finished organic cotton fabrics
Particle size analysis of hibiscus, curry leaf, and coconut oil—herbal extract combination was good in the various ratios, for 90/10, indicating good antimicrobial potential [56]
Summary
Cotton based textile fabrics retain sufficient moisture [1], offer a large surface area, can absorb moisture from the environment and human body and maintain body temperature. These properties of cotton fabrics serve as an ideal environment for the growth of fungi and microbes. High survival of bacteria through textiles leads to the spread of infections requiring proper hygiene, procedures to control infections, and disinfection of contact surfaces and textiles [3] This shows that textiles made of natural fibres (cotton) are more susceptible to microbial growth, especially when they contact the body and moist objects leading to transmission of infections [3]. In order to counteract the microbial attack, textiles intended for medical and hygiene applications are treated with a range of antimicrobial finishes obtained from chemicals, including quaternary ammonium compounds, triclosan, metallic salts (TiO2, ZnO), chitosan, phenolic compounds, oxidising agents, and poly (hexamethylene biguanide) [4]
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