Modification of Cotton with Chitosan: Deposition of Copper(II) Sulfate by Complexation Copper Ions

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This study introduces a novel approach for enhancing the functional properties of cotton fibers through complexation of copper sulfate, and subsequent combination with chitosan (COT-CuSO4-CTS). Our preliminary investigations focused on the development composites as candidate materials for functional coatings with antimicrobial properties. The materials were thoroughly characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy, providing insights into their structural features and composition. The findings show that the modified cotton materials exhibit potent antimicrobial activity. Specifically, the COT-CuSO4 and COT-CuSO4-CTS samples demonstrated zones of inhibition against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, confirming their ability to reduce microbial growth significantly. The incorporation of a chitosan layer significantly enhanced the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of the cotton fabric from 3.37 to over 50, indicating exceptional UV shielding capabilities, while copper(II) oxide treatment provided a moderate UPF value of 14.56. Blood compatibility studies further revealed that COT-CuSO4 and COT-CuSO4-CTS fabrics influence coagulation parameters, with a marked prolongation in activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) compared to untreated cotton. This anticoagulant effect is primarily linked to the presence of copper, although the addition of chitosan modulates this response, slightly reducing clotting times compared to COT-CuSO4 alone. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assessments using Peripheral Blood Mononuclear (PBM) cells indicated that untreated cotton was non-toxic and non-genotoxic. However, COT-CuSO4 and COT-CuSO4-CTS fabrics displayed a reduction in cell viability and induced DNA damage, highlighting their potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Notably, COT-CuSO4-CTS showed lower cytotoxicity and genotoxicity than COT-CuSO4-CTS, suggesting that chitosan reduces the overall cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the composite. Furthermore, plasmid DNA relaxation assays indicated that COT-CuSO4 and COT-CuSO4-CTS interact with DNA, with COT-CuSO4 exhibiting a stronger interaction than COT-CuSO4-CTS, consistent with the findings on PBM cells.