Optimization of β-cyclodextrin grafting on wool fibers improved by plasma treatment and assessment of antibacterial activity of berberine finished fabric

Anti-Mold Protection of Textile Surfaces with Cold Plasma Produced Biocidal Nanocoatings

The permanent anti-mold protection of textile surfaces, particularly those utilized in the manufacture of outdoor sporting goods, is still an issue that requires cutting-edge solutions. This study attempts to obtain antifungal nanocoatings on four selected fabrics used in the production of high-mountain clothing and sleeping bags, and on PET foil as a model substrate, employing the cold plasma technique for this purpose. Three plasma treatment procedures were used to obtain such nanocoatings: plasma-activated graft copolymerization of a biocidal precursor, deposition of a thin-film matrix by plasma-activated graft copolymerization and anchoring biocidal molecules therein, and plasma polymerization of a biocidal precursor. The precursors used represented three important groups of antifungal agents: phenols, amines, and anchored compounds. SEM microscopy and FTIR-ATR spectrometry were used to characterize the produced nanocoatings. For testing antifungal properties, four species of common mold fungi were selected: A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. tenuissima, and P. chrysogenum. It was found that the relatively best nanocoating, both in terms of plasma process performance, durability, and anti-mold activity, is plasma polymerized 2-allylphenol. The obtained results confirm our belief that cold plasma technology is a great tool for modifying the surface of textiles to provide them with antifungal properties.

A review of the berberine natural polysaccharide nanostructures as potential anticancer and antibacterial agents

Despite the promising medicinal properties, berberine (BBR), due to its relatively poor solubility in plasma, low bio-stability and limited bioavailability is not used broadly in clinical stages. Due to these drawbacks, drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on nanoscale natural polysaccharides, are applied to address these concerns. Natural polymers are biodegradable, non-immunogenic, biocompatible, and non-toxic agents that are capable of trapping large amounts of hydrophobic compounds in relatively small volumes. The use of nanoscale natural polysaccharide improves the stability and pharmacokinetics of the small molecules and, consequently, increases the therapeutic effects and reduces the side effects of the small molecules. Therefore, this paper presents an overview of the different methods used for increasing the BBR solubility and bioavailability. Afterwards, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic of BBR nanostructures were discussed followed by the introduction of natural polysaccharides of plant (cyclodextrines, glucomannan), the shells of crustaceans (chitosan), and the cell wall of brown marine algae (alginate)-based origins used to improve the dissolution rate of poorly soluble BBR and their anticancer and antibacterial properties. Finally, the anticancer and antibacterial mechanisms of free BBR and BBR nanostructures were surveyed. In conclusion, this review may pave the way for providing some useful data in the development of BBR-based platforms for clinical applications.

Drug-Eluting Medical Textiles: From Fiber Production and Textile Fabrication to Drug Loading and Delivery

Drug-eluting medical textiles have recently gained great attention to be used in different applications due to their cost effectiveness and unique physical and chemical properties. Using various fiber production and textile fabrication technologies, fibrous constructs with the required properties for the target drug delivery systems can be designed and fabricated. This review summarizes the current advances in the fabrication of drug-eluting medical textiles. Different fiber production methods such as melt-, wet-, and electro-spinning, and textile fabrication techniques such as knitting and weaving are explained. Moreover, various loading processes of bioactive agents to obtain drug-loaded fibrous structures with required physicochemical and morphological properties, drug delivery mechanisms, and drug release kinetics are discussed. Finally, the current applications of drug-eluting fibrous systems in wound care, tissue engineering, and transdermal drug delivery are highlighted.

The Role of β-Cyclodextrin in the Textile Industry-Review

β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) is an oligosaccharide composed of seven units of D-(+)-glucopyranose joined by α-1,4 bonds, which is obtained from starch. Its singular trunk conical shape organization, with a well-defined cavity, provides an adequate environment for several types of molecules to be included. Complexation changes the properties of the guest molecules and can increase their stability and bioavailability, protecting against degradation, and reducing their volatility. Thanks to its versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, β-CD is widespread in many research and industrial applications. In this review, we summarize the role of β-CD and its derivatives in the textile industry. First, we present some general physicochemical characteristics, followed by its application in the areas of dyeing, finishing, and wastewater treatment. The review covers the role of β-CD as an auxiliary agent in dyeing, and as a matrix for dye adsorption until chemical modifications are applied as a finishing agent. Finally, new perspectives about its use in textiles, such as in smart materials for microbial control, are presented.

Recent advances in chitosan polysaccharide and its derivatives in antimicrobial modification of textile materials

Chitosan is partially or completely N-deacetylated derivative of chitin and is chemically composed of β‑(1, 4) linked 2‑amino‑2‑deoxy‑β‑d‑glucopyranose. Biocompatibility, non-toxicity, antifungal activity, water-binding capacity, bioactivity and antimicrobial properties make chitosan particularly attractive substitute for synthetic polymers in different application fields and notably in the textile industry. The presence of reactive amino and hydroxyl groups along the backbone conifer chitosan some interesting properties for use in textile dyeing and finishing. However, the main barrier to the use of chitosan is the lack of water solubility at neutral pH and poor durability on textile surfaces. To overcome this, chitosan has been chemically modified in several ways to obtain a wide range of important derivatives with a broad range of applications. This review is intended to provide a recent overview of chitosan and its derivatives and highlight their role in the development of antimicrobial textiles.

Study on optimizing dyeing of cotton using date pits extract as a combined source of coloring matter and bio-mordant

In this research, extraction of colouring matter from date pits powder was conferred by conventional and ultrasonic methods. Phenolic compounds present in the resulted extract were identified by HPLC analysis. Total phenolic, total flavonoid and total metallic contents were quantified; and the highest levels were obtained in case of ultrasonic extraction process at a frequency of 25 kHz. The different resultant extracts were diluted with distilled water and unified to a polyphenolic content of 48 mg per 100 mL. Dyeing results have been discussed as a function of the bio-metallic contents present in the extract. It was found that the highest colour strengths and the better fastness properties were registered in case of dyeing experiments developed using the ultrasonic extracts. Those above results could be due to the highest metallic content present in the ultrasonic extracts, which has functioned as a bio-mordant properly extracted from date pits powder.