Antibacterial and UV Protection Properties of Modified Cotton Fabric Using a Curcumin/TiO2 Nanocomposite for Medical Textile Applications

Fabrication of multifunctional cotton fabrics with quaternized N-halamine endowing the synergetic rechargeable antibacterial, wound healing and self-cleaning performances

Cotton has attracted considerable attention due to its functional characteristics. The focus of research on cotton has shifted in recent years towards designing multi-functional and modified media for cotton fibers, which can be firmly combined with textiles, giving them reusability and extending their service life. This study constructed a synergistic antibacterial layer of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and N-halamine (Hals) using an in-situ free radical copolymerization method in water, named QACs/Hals@cotton-Cl. The route significantly increases the number of antibacterial active centers. FTIR, XPS, and SEM were used to systematically analyze the product's chemical structure, surface morphology, and other characteristics. The modified fabric's antibacterial efficiency, wound healing, renewability, and durability were also evaluated. The chlorinated modified cotton fabric could completely eradicate S. aureus and E. coli within 10 min. Compared with pure cotton, it notably promoted the healing rate of infected wounds in mice. The modification method imparted excellent hydrophobicity to the cotton fabric, with a contact angle exceeding 130°, making it easy to remove surface stains. After 30 days of regular storage and 24 h of UV irradiation, the active chlorine concentration (Cl+%) only decreased by 25 % and 39 %, respectively, and the reduced Cl+% was effectively recharged via simple re-chlorination. The hydrophobicity and antimicrobial properties of QACs/Hals@cotton-Cl remained stable even after 20 cycles of friction. This simple synthesis technique provides a convenient approach for the scalable fabrication of multifunctional and rechargeable antibacterial textiles, with potential applications in medical devices and personal hygiene protection.

Bioactive and biodegradable cotton fabrics produced via synergic effect of plant extracts and essential oils in chitosan coating system

Functional antibacterial textile materials are in great demand in the medical sector. In this paper, we propose a facile, eco-friendly approach to the design of antibacterial biodegradable cotton fabrics. Cotton fiber fabrics were enhanced with a chitosan coating loaded with plant extracts and essential oils. We employed Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to characterize the color, structure, and thermal properties of the modified fabrics. The fabrics were found to effectively induce growth inhibition of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, especially when a synergic system of aloe vera extract and cinnamon essential oil was applied in the coating formulation. Additionally, we observed significant color and weight changes after 5, 10, and 20 days in soil biodegradability tests. Given the straightforward modification process and the use of non-toxic natural materials, these innovative bio-based and biodegradable cotton fabrics show great promise as protective antimicrobial textiles for healthcare applications.

Development of biocompatible aqueous polyurethane dispersions using chitosan and curcumin to improve physicochemical properties of textile surfaces

The present research work aims to synthesize a blend of chitosan (CSN) and curcumin (CRN) based aqueous polyurethane dispersions (CSN-CRN APUDs) for the modification of textile surfaces. A series of anionic CSN-CRN APUDs were prepared by the reaction of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and extended with chain extenders (CSN and CRN). Structural characterizations of prepared materials were examined through a fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer. The performances of coated CSN-CRN APUDs on the colorfastness properties (washing, rubbing and perspiration) and the mechanical properties like tensile strength and tearing strength of plain weaved poly/cellulosic textiles (dyed, printed and white) were examined before and after the application of CSN-CRN APUDs. The findings showed that the mechanical and colorfastness properties of all the CSN-CRN APUDs treated poly/cellulosic textile samples were improved significantly as compared with untreated poly/cellulosic textile samples. The newly synthesized CSN-CRN APUD coating materials are sustainable and greener products, particularly derivatized from bio-resources. These coating materials can be utilized as outstanding eco-friendly substitutes for poly/cellulosic textile coatings for surface modifications.

New trends in the development of photodynamic inactivation against planktonic microorganisms and their biofilms in food system

The photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a novel and effective nonthermal inactivation technology. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the bactericidal ability of endogenous photosensitizers (PSs)-mediated and exogenous PSs-mediated PDI against planktonic bacteria and their biofilms, as well as fungi. In general, the PDI exhibited a broad-spectrum ability in inactivating planktonic bacteria and fungi, but its potency was usually weakened in vivo and for eradicating biofilms. On this basis, new strategies have been proposed to strengthen the PDI potency in food system, mainly including the physical and chemical modification of PSs, the combination of PDI with multiple adjuvants, adjusting the working conditions of PDI, improving the targeting ability of PSs, and the emerging aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens). Meanwhile, the mechanisms of PDI on eradicating mono-/mixed-species biofilms and preserving foods were also summarized. Notably, the PDI-mediated antimicrobial packaging film was proposed and introduced. This review gives a new insight to develop the potent PDI system to combat microbial contamination and hazard in food industry.

Current perspectives of metal-based nanomaterials as photocatalytic antimicrobial agents and their therapeutic modes of action: A review

Efforts to restrict the emergence and progression of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains should heavily involve the scientific community, including government bodies, researchers, and industries, in developing new and effective photocatalytic antimicrobial agents. Such changes warrant the modernization and upscaling of materials synthesis laboratories to support and expedite the mass production of materials at the industrial scale for the benefit of humankind and the environment. Despite the massive volume of publications reporting the potential usage of different types of metal-based nanomaterials as antimicrobial agents, reviews uncovering the similarities and differences among the various products remain lacking. This review details the basic and unique properties of metal-based nanoparticles, their use as photocatalytic antimicrobial agents, and their therapeutic modes of action. It shall be noted that compared to traditional antibiotics, the mode of action of photocatalytic metal-based nanomaterials for killing microorganisms are completely different, despite displaying promising performance against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Besides, this review uncovers the differences in the mode of actions of metal oxide nanoparticles against different types of bacteria, as well as towards viruses. Last but not least, this review comprehensively describes previous published clinical trials and medical usages involving contemporary photocatalytic antimicrobial agents.

Highly Durable Antibacterial Properties of Cellulosic Fabric via β-Cyclodextrin/Essential Oils Inclusion Complex

Essential oils (EO_S), which naturally come from plants, have significant antibacterial properties against a variety of pathogens, but their high volatility and poor water solubility severely restrict their use in the textile industry. In this study, an inclusion complex based on β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/EO_S was prepared by two different simple methods: pad dry cure (method 1) and pad batch (method 2). A glyoxal crosslinking agent was used for the fixation of the inclusion complexes on the surface of the fabric. Lavender, rosemary, salvia, and lemon essential oils were applied. The structure of the β-CD/EOs inclusion complex was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and weight gain (%), which indicated that the β-CD/EOs were successfully deposited on cellulose-based fabric. The results demonstrated that β-CD enhanced the oils' scent stability, with the advantage of exhibiting no major change in the tensile strength or permeability of cotton. Lavender oil had the highest stability scent with a value of 3.25, even after 30 days of evaluation. The antibacterial activity showed that EO_S/βCD-impregnated fabrics for method 1 had an inhibition zone ranging from 33 to 23 mm, while the inhibition zone for method 2 ranged from 39 mm to 29 mm, indicating that our treatment was able to control the growth of bacteria, even after five washing cycles. This study confirmed that the EOs/βCD inclusion-complex-deposited cotton fabric might hold further promise for medical and hospital use.

Modeling the Properties of Curcumin Derivatives in Relation to the Architecture of the Siloxane Host Matrices

Research in the field of natural dyes has constantly focused on methods of conditioning curcumin and diversifying their fields of use. In this study, hybrid materials were obtained from modified silica structures, as host matrices, in which curcumin dyes were embedded. The influence of the silica network structure on the optical properties and the antimicrobial activity of the hybrid materials was monitored. By modifying the ratio between phenyltriethoxysilane:diphenyldimethoxysilane (PTES:DPDMES), it was possible to evaluate the influence the organosilane network modifiers had on the morphostructural characteristics of nanocomposites. The nanosols were obtained by the sol-gel method, in acid catalysis. The nanocomposites obtained were deposited as films on a glass support and showed a transmittance value (T measured at 550 nm) of around 90% and reflectance of about 11%, comparable to the properties of the uncovered support. For the coatings deposited on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) films, these properties remained at average values of T550 = 85% and R550 = 11% without significantly modifying the optical properties of the support. The sequestration of the dye in silica networks reduced the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposites obtained, by comparison to native dyes. Tests performed on Candida albicans fungi showed good results for the two curcumin derivatives embedded in silica networks (11-18 mm) by using the spot inoculation method; in comparison, the alcoholic dye solution has a spot diameter of 20-23 mm. In addition, hybrids with the CA derivative were the most effective (halo diameter of 17-18 mm) in inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, compared to the curcumin derivative in alcoholic solution (halo diameter of 21 mm). The results of the study showed that the presence of 20-40% by weight DPDMES in the composition of nanosols is the optimal range for obtaining hybrid films that host curcumin derivatives, with potential uses in the field of optical films or bioactive coatings.