Development of Medical Fabrics to Enhance Lubrication and Prevent Skin Friction Associated Microbial Infections

Abstract

ABSTRACT Skin deforming and coefficients of friction during skin and fabric interactions cause discomfort like skin inflammations, infections, and disease. Chitosan+Aloevera composite (CAc) as a finishing agent and the difference in a static and dynamic friction of finished denim was investigated. As chitosan+Aloevera were also reported to prevent a skin infection associated with friction antimicrobial properties and biocompatible properties of finished denim fabric was also evaluated. Anti-microbial efficacy of CAc finished denim-fabric swatches was evaluated using the standard EN ISO 20,645 test methodology. The biocompatible properties of CAc finished denim-fabric swatches were determined using a standard MTT assay method. The CAc finished denim samples exhibited 34 ± 0.57 mm and 35 ± 1.25 mm zones of inhibition for Escherichia coli & Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The CAc finished denim samples exhibited 35 ± 1.25 mm and 33 ± 1.04 mm zones of inhibition for Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, respectively. The CAc finished denim-fabric swatches exhibited 30 ± 1.25 mm and 29 ± 0.57 mm of inhibitory zones agaisnt E. coli and S. aureus, respectively after 2nd wash. In contrast, the samples after 10th wash did not exhibit an antibacterial activity.