Enhanced bactericidal performance of textiles through compound antimicrobial agents

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Microbiology
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Controlling microbial proliferation on textiles is crucial for public health.
• Antimicrobial fabric treatments require agents with efficacy, safety, and stability.
• Nylon fabrics are widely used but susceptible to microbial contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate functional requirements for antimicrobial textile control.
• To assess the efficacy of specific antimicrobial agents and their combinations.
• To determine the impact of antimicrobial treatment on fabric properties.

Main Methods:

• Selected antimicrobial agents: iodopropylbutylcarbamate (IPBC), zinc pyrithione (ZPT), and 2-octyl-3-isothiazolinone (OIT).
• Determined Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC50) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
• Evaluated antimicrobial effectiveness, whiteness, and mechanical durability of treated nylon fabric.

Main Results:

• Combinations of IPBC, ZPT, and OIT showed additive antimicrobial effects.
• A 0.2 wt.% mixture of IPBC, ZPT, and OIT at an equivalent ratio inhibited >99% of S. aureus and E. coli.
• Antimicrobial treatment minimally affected nylon fabric's whiteness and tensile strength.

Conclusions:

• Effective antimicrobial textiles can be produced using specific combinations of IPBC, ZPT, and OIT.
• The developed treatment offers a practical strategy for enhancing textile safety in public health.
• Further research can optimize formulations for diverse textile applications.