Bioactive cotton fabrics containing chitosan and biologically active substances extracted from plants

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Chitosan is a biocompatible polymer with potential applications in functional textiles.
• Viola Tricolor (VT) extract contains bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant properties.
• Developing bioactive textiles requires effective methods for immobilizing active substances onto fabric substrates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop bioactive textiles by immobilizing Viola Tricolor (VT) extract onto chitosan-coated cotton fabrics.
• To investigate the influence of different chitosan application methods on VT retention.
• To evaluate the in vitro release and antioxidant activity of the obtained bioactive textiles.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan was applied to cotton and chemically modified cotton fabrics using tripolyphosphate (TPP) or glutaraldehyde crosslinking.
• Viola Tricolor (VT) extract was immobilized onto the chitosan-coated fabrics.
• In vitro release studies were conducted to assess the controlled release of VT.
• Antioxidant activity of the textiles was evaluated.

Main Results:

• The method of chitosan application significantly affected the amount of VT retained on the fabrics.
• The obtained bioactive textiles demonstrated in vitro release of VT.
• The immobilized VT extract conferred antioxidant activity to the textiles.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive textiles with immobilized VT extract can be successfully prepared using chitosan-coated cotton fabrics.
• The developed textiles exhibit antioxidant properties and controlled release of biomolecules, suitable for therapeutic clothing.
• Further research can optimize fabrication for enhanced therapeutic efficacy in treating skin conditions.