Boosting textiles with plant extracts: an advanced sustainable antimicrobial innovation for direct skin applications

This study investigates the incorporation of natural plant extracts, particularly eucalyptus and hop, into knitted fabrics to develop antimicrobial textiles. The antibacterial activity of the functionalized fabrics was evaluated against two pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and one common skin commensal (Staphylococcus epidermidis). Biocompatibility with human skin cells was assessed through MTT assays, TO/PI, and Calcein/PI staining. Results demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity of the functionalized textiles against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, with less evident effects on E. coli. Fabrics, functionalized with hop extracts, demonstrated biocompatibility in the applied two-dimensional models; however, confirming their safety for human use requires further evaluation using advanced models and additional endpoints, such as skin sensitization and genotoxicity. Overall, the study highlights the potential of incorporating natural plant extracts in textile functionalization to create eco-friendly and antimicrobial materials that meet growing market demands for safety and sustainability. Future research is warranted to optimize performance and applications.