Development of antimicrobial cotton fabrics using herb loaded nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Material Science
• Nanotechnology
• Microbiology
• Textile Chemistry

Background:

• Natural extracts offer potential antimicrobial properties.
• Encapsulation in nanoparticles can enhance delivery and stability.
• Textile finishing requires durable and effective antimicrobial agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To screen Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts for antimicrobial activity.
• To develop nanoparticle-encapsulated Ocimum sanctum extract for textile application.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and durability of the treated fabric.

Main Methods:

• Screening of ethanol, methanol, petroleum ether, and water extracts using agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays.
• Loading of methanol extract (showing highest activity) into sodium alginate chitosan nanoparticles via cation-induced gelification.
• Finishing of cotton fabric with the nanoparticle-loaded extract using pad-dry-cure method; characterization by dynamic light scattering; antimicrobial assessment via AATCC 100.

Main Results:

• Methanol extract of Ocimum sanctum exhibited significant antimicrobial effects.
• Nanoparticle-encapsulated extract successfully finished onto cotton fabric.
• Treated fabrics demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity and excellent wash durability.

Conclusions:

• Ocimum sanctum methanol extract loaded nanoparticles provide effective antimicrobial properties to cotton fabrics.
• This herb-encapsulated nanoparticle technology shows promise as a biocontrol agent for textiles.
• The developed method offers a durable and natural solution for antimicrobial textile finishing.