Cotton fabric finished with β-cyclodextrin: Inclusion ability toward antimicrobial agent

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Chemistry
• Antimicrobial Technology

Background:

• Cotton fabrics are susceptible to microbial contamination.
• Developing durable antimicrobial textiles is crucial for healthcare and hygiene applications.
• Beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) offers a potential matrix for antimicrobial agents due to its unique cavity structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To functionalize cotton fabric with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD).
• To load the functionalized fabric with the antimicrobial agent octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT).
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and durability of the finished textile.

Main Methods:

• Cotton fabric was crosslinked with butane tetracarboxylic acid and sodium hypophosphite monohydrate to graft β-CD.
• The β-CD-grafted fabric was loaded with OCT.
• Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the Diffusion Disk Method against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi.
• Durability was tested through repeated washing cycles (up to 20 washes).

Main Results:

• The β-CD-grafted cotton fabric successfully incorporated OCT.
• The finished fabric exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria and fungi.
• Antimicrobial efficacy was largely retained even after 20 washing cycles, demonstrating excellent durability.
• The sustained release of OCT is attributed to the hosting capability of β-CD cavities.

Conclusions:

• Beta-cyclodextrin grafting provides a durable platform for antimicrobial agents on cotton fabric.
• The developed antimicrobial textile shows promise for long-lasting infection control applications.
• The gradual release mechanism ensures prolonged antimicrobial effect, enhancing textile functionality.