A Review on the Investigation of Biologically Active Natural Compounds on Cotton Fabrics as an Antibacterial Textile Finishing

Abstract

The scientific studies have considered the propolis, beewax and Chitosan as antibacterial agents for 100% cotton fabrics in recent years as an emulsion to functionalize cotton textile materials. But yet no more research had done on these natural compounds. Chitosan has a long historical background of being used as an antibacterial agent in different fields. The concentration, Molecular Weight, and Degree of Deacylation of chitosan and the bacterial strain are the main factors that affect the antibacterial behavior of chitosan. The used of chitosan as an antibacterial finish along with a durable press finishing agent on 100% cotton fabrics was found that antibacterial activity remained to a level of 80% after 10 repeated launders. The presence of the biologically active natural compounds on the cotton substrates modified the surface of the textile fibers. The treatment also improved fabric comfort properties, the cotton substrates became less air permissive and more hygroscopic after the treatment. The research found that the treated cotton fabric showed higher reduction (97%) in the number of colonies of S. aureus bacteria compared to the number of colonies on a 55/45% wood pulp/polyester spun-laced nonwoven fabric.The antibacterial performance of the functionalized cotton fabrics treated with those biologically active natural compounds has the potentials to be used in medical fields[1]. Furthermore, the used of microcapsules of honey as core and chitosan as a shield on the medical gauzes showed good performance in the wound healing. These treated medical gauzes have the healing and antimicrobial behaviors of honey and chitozan and that study had proved the usage of honey and Chitosan as an antibacterial in treating medical gauzes for the human diabetes [2]. Up to date none of the natural compounds have been reported to have negative side effects on the human skin when used as antibacterial clothing.