Essential Oils Applied to Textile Substrates with Emphasis on Antibacterial Properties: Review Article.

Area of Science:

• Material Science
• Textile Engineering
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Essential oils (EOs) are natural, biodegradable compounds with proven antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
• Their volatility and hydrophobic nature limit direct application in textiles.
• Functional textiles offer a platform for integrating EOs to impart biofunctionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in applying essential oils to textile substrates.
• To examine techniques used for EO integration and their mechanisms.
• To assess improvements in antimicrobial efficiency, durability, and wash cycles.

Main Methods:

• Survey of recent scientific literature, including research papers, articles, and books.
• Analysis of various methods for immobilizing EOs onto textile materials.
• Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy, durability, and performance after washing.

Main Results:

• Various techniques exist for applying EOs to textiles, enhancing their biofunctionality.
• Durability and antimicrobial efficiency are significantly influenced by the application method.
• Optimized methods show promising results in maintaining EO efficacy through multiple wash cycles.

Conclusions:

• Integrating essential oils into textiles is a promising approach for creating sustainable, functional fabrics.
• Further research is needed to optimize application methods for enhanced durability and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
• EO-functionalized textiles hold potential for applications in healthcare, sportswear, and everyday wear.