Development of Advanced Textile Finishes Using Nano-Emulsions from Herbal Extracts for Organic Cotton Fabrics

Novel Collagen-Based Emulsions Embedded with Palmarosa Essential Oil, and Chamomile and Calendula Tinctures, for Skin-Friendly Textile Materials

Skin-friendly textile materials were obtained by applying oil-in-water emulsions based on palmarosa essential oil, chamomile, and calendula tinctures onto cotton fabrics. Different formulations based on these bioactive principles incorporated in collagen as polymeric matrices were prepared and immobilized on a plain weave textile structure from 100% cotton. The functionalized textile materials were characterized in terms of physicochemical, mechanical, antibacterial, and biocompatibility points of view. The pH values of the prepared emulsions were in the range of 4.81-5.23 and showed no significant differences after 4 h of storage. Moreover, the addition of a higher quantity of active principles (palmarosa essential oil and plant tinctures) caused slightly lower values of acidic pH. The electrical conductivity of the obtained emulsions increased with the decrease in the oil phases in the system. The highest values were obtained for the emulsion developed with the smallest volume fraction of active principle-palmarosa essential oil and plant tinctures. The emulsion that contained the least amount of collagen and the highest number of active principles exhibited the lowest stability. The textile materials treated with synthesized emulsions exerted antibacterial effects against S. aureus and E. coli strains and did not affect keratinocyte growth, spreading, and organization, highlighting the biocompatibility of these developed skin-friendly textiles.

Nano Revolution: "Tiny tech, big impact: How nanotechnology is driving SDGs progress"

Nanotechnology has emerged as a powerful tool in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development. By manipulating materials at the nanoscale, researchers have unlocked new possibilities in various fields, including energy, healthcare, agriculture, construction, transportation, and environmental conservation. This paper explores the potential of nanotechnology and nanostructures in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by improving energy efficiency and energy conversion, leading to a more sustainable and clean energy future, improving water purification processes, enabling access to clean drinking water for communities, enabling targeted drug delivery systems, early disease detection, and personalized medicine, thus revolutionizing healthcare, improving crop yields, efficient nutrient delivery systems, pest control mechanisms, and many other areas, therefore addressing food security issues. It also highlights the potential of nanomaterials in environmental remediation and pollution control. Therefore, by understanding and harnessing nanotechnology's potential, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders can work together toward a more sustainable future by achieving the 17 UN SDGs.

Preparation and Preliminary Analysis of Several Nanoformulations Based on Plant Extracts and Biodegradable Polymers as a Possible Application for Chronic Venous Disease Therapy

Nanotechnology is one of the newest directions for plant-based therapies. Chronic venous disease often predisposes to long-term and invasive treatment. This research focused on the inclusion of vegetal extracts from Sophorae flos (SE), Calendulae flos (CE), and Ginkgo bilobae folium (GE) in formulations with PHB and PLGA polymers and their physicochemical characterization as a preliminary stage for possible use in the development of a complex therapeutic product. The samples were prepared by an oil-water emulsification and solvent evaporation technique, resulting in suspensions with high spreadability and a pH of 5.5. ATR-FTIR analysis revealed bands for stretching vibrations (O-H, C=O, and C-H in symmetric and asymmetric methyl and methylene) in the same regions as the base components, but switched to high or low wavenumbers and absorbance, highlighting the formation of adducts/complexes between the extracts and polymers. The obtained formulations were in the amorphous phase, as confirmed by XRD analysis. AFM analysis emphasized the morphological peculiarities of the extract-polymer nanoformulations. It could be noticed that, in the case of SE-based formulations, the dominant characteristics for SE-PHB and SE-PLGA composition were the formation of random large (SE-PHB) and smaller uniform (SE-PLGA) particles; further on, these particles tended to aggregate in the case of SE-PHB-PLGA. For the CE- and GE-based formulations, the dominant surface morphology was their porosity, generally with small pores, but larger cavities were observed in some cases (CE- and GE-PHB). The highest roughness values at the (8 µm × 8 μm) scale were found for the following samples and succession: CE-PHB < SE-PLGA < SE-PHB-PLGA. In addition, by thermogravimetric analysis, impregnation in the matrix of compression stockings was evaluated, which varied in the following order: CE-polymer > SE-polymer > GE-polymer. In conclusion, nine vegetal extract-polymer nanoformulations were prepared and preliminarily characterized (by advanced physicochemical methods) as a starting point for further optimization, stability studies, and possible use in complex pharmaceutical products.

Antibacterial Effect of Combinations of Salvia officinalis and Glycyrrhiza glabra Hydroalcoholic Extracts against Enterococcus spp

Enterococcus spp. are a common culprit behind the failure of endodontic treatments, primarily due to their notorious resistance to antimicrobial agents. Considering this challenge, this study was conducted to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of a unique blend of hydroalcoholic extracts sourced from Salvia officinalis and Glycyrrhiza glabra against biofilms formed by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. The chemical composition of these plant extracts was rigorously characterized, with primary compound quantification achieved through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Additionally, this study determined the minimal bactericidal concentrations of these extracts and evaluated their potential to combat biofilms by quantifying colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). The findings reveal that the simultaneous application of both extracts yielded additive and synergistic effects against E. faecalis and E. faecium, including both ATCC and clinical strains. Impressively, after a 24 h exposure, these extract combinations demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of a 0.12% chlorhexidine solution, establishing a statistically significant difference from the negative control group. Consequently, the concurrent use of these extracts emerges as a promising alternative antimicrobial strategy for addressing Enterococcus spp. in endodontic treatments, holding substantial potential for clinical applications in this context.

Ultrasonic-assisted sustainable extraction and dyeing of organic cotton fabric using natural dyes from Dillenia indica leaf

As a means of preventing environmental damage caused by synthetic dyes, eco-friendly textile dyeing with natural dyes is gaining popularity worldwide. This study focused on the extraction of dyes from the leaf of Dillenia indica (D. indica) tree using an ultrasonic extraction technique and applied on the organic cotton fabrics. The ultrasonic method was used for both extractions of D. indica dyes and dyeing of organic cotton fabrics. Here, the amount of D. indica powder used were 5% and 6.67% for producing light and dark shade, respectively. The investigation of the color fastness to washing, rubbing, and light for the dyed organic cotton fabrics indicated an excellent rating. The spectrophotometric analysis revealed the L* (lightness or darkness), a* (redness or greenness), b* (yellowness or blueness), C* (chroma), h* (hue), R% (reflectance), and K/S (color strength) values, which accurately represented the shade of the dyed organic cotton fabric. To understand the interaction between D. indica dye and organic cotton fabrics, different characterization including, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The characterization outcomes confirmed the successful deposition of D. indica dyes on the organic cotton fabrics. The other comparable testing results such as bursting strength, air permeability, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of dyed and undyed organic cotton fabrics were in the acceptable range. One of the important findings of this research was no chemicals were utilized during the extraction and dyeing of organic cotton fabrics. This process can be referred to as completely chemical-free and advantageous for the environment because no chemicals were needed during extraction or dyeing. Therefore, the natural dye extracted from D. indica is extremely promising and could be a viable option for the sustainable dyeing of cotton fabrics in the textile dyeing industry.

Cleaner pathway for developing bioactive textile materials using natural dyes: a review

Bioactive textile materials are a promising field in the development of functional textiles. The integration of bioactive compounds, such as natural dyes, into textiles offers a range of benefits, including UV protection, anti-microbial properties, and insect repellency. Natural dyes have been shown to have bioactivity, and their integration into textiles has been extensively studied. The application of natural dyes on textile substrates will be an advantage for their inherent functional properties along with their non-toxic and eco-friendly nature. This review addresses the effect of natural dyes on surface modification of most used natural and synthetic fibers and its subsequent effects on their anti-microbial, UV protection and insect repellent properties with natural dyes. Natural dyes have proved to be environmentally friendly in an attempt to improve bioactive functions in textile materials. This review provides a clear view of sustainable resources for the dyeing and finishing of textiles to develop a cleaner pathway of bioactive textiles using natural dyes. Furthermore, the dye source, advantages and disadvantages of natural dye, main dye component, and chemical structure are listed. However, there is still a need for interdisciplinary research to further optimize the integration of natural dyes into textiles and to improve their bioactivity, biocompatibility, and sustainability. The development of bioactive textile materials using natural dyes has the potential to revolutionize the textile industry and to provide a range of benefits to consumers and society.

Recent advances in functionalization of nanotextiles: A strategy to combat harmful microorganisms and emerging pathogens in the 21st century

The textile industry can benefit from nanotechnology as new properties are conferred on functionalized nanotextiles beyond what a fabric can traditionally offer. These properties include extermination of microorganisms by nanotextiles to curtail their growth and dissemination in the environment and in healthcare facilities. The emergence and thriving of multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenomenon among microbes are threats at achieving good health and well-being (goal 3) of sustainable development goals (SDG) of UN. In addition, MDR strains emerge at a higher rate than the frequency of discovery and production of potent antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, there is need for innovative approach to tackle MDR. Among recent innovations is functionalization of textiles with metal nanoparticles to kill microorganisms. This paper explores strategies in nanotextile production to combat emerging diseases in the 21st century. We discussed different nanotextiles with proven antimicrobial activities, and their applications as air filters, sportswear, personal wears, nose masks, health care and medical fabrics. This compendium highlights frontiers of applications of antimicrobial nanotextiles that can extend multidisciplinary research endeavours towards achieving good health and well-being. Until now, there exists no review on exploitation of nanotextiles to combat MDR pathogens as included in this report.