Natural Fiber Welding of Chitin and Chitosan on a Cotton Cloth Substrate: Novel Materials Displaying Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) can be used as solvents for biopolymers due to unique chemical and physical properties that enable mobilization and disruption of the hydrogen bonding present in the biopolymer structure. Chitin and chitosan are biopolymer known to have natural antimicrobial properties. The goal of this work is to functionalize a composite cotton yarn or cloth with a chitin or chitosan biopolymer, in order to exploit the bio-active properties of chitin or chitosan, while maintaining the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of cotton yarn. We will be using a method called Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) to incorporate chitin or chitosan biopolymers into cotton materials. Natural Fiber Welding is the process of full or partial dissolution of a substrate and the regeneration using ILs, such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. Using this process, chitin or chitosan is able to be permanently adhered and chemically bonded to the outer and inner surface of the native yarn. Changing factors, such as ionic liquid solution composition (introducing DMSO), temperature, time, and concentration of biopolymers alters the degree of biopolymer mobilization which influences what properties the composite yarn displays. In this study we will show results for chitin or chitosan welded into cotton composite materials. We will present data characterizing the physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of these composites. Data from confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM), SEM imaging, and Bactericidal Killing Assays will be shown using E.Coli transfected with Green Fluorescent Protein. In conclusion, it appears that we can effectively coat and integrate chitin or chitosan onto the cotton material and the material exhibits antimicrobial properties.