Antimicrobial Rnish on Textiles Using Kuppivaeni for Sldn Diseases
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Date
2010
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Abstract
h e awareness of health and hygiene for consumers has increased
the demand for antimicrobial textiles. Whilst in the past it w as
predominantly technical textiles that had antimicrobial finishes, in
particular to protect against bacteria and fungi, nowadays textiles
worn close to the body have been developed for a variety of
different applications in the field of medicine and hygiene. An
antimicrobial finish on fabrics can minimise the transfer of microorganisms
on to the wearer by creating a physical barrier. It prevents
skin diseases caused by the microorganisms.
Various medicinal plants found in nature exhibit excellent
antimicrobial properties. A new approach is made to make
textile material antimicrobial using natural extracts on cotton
fabrics to cure skin allergies. The 'miracle plant'. Indian
Acalypha (Kuppivaeni). which is a commonly available plant in
Tamil Nadu, wa s chosen for the study, which involved the
applications of Kuppivaeni-leaf extracts on to cotton fabric by
optimising the process conditions and then treating the fabrics
with different concentrations.
The treated samples were tested for activity as per AATCC 147.
i AATCC 100 and AATCC 30 agar diffusion test methods. 100%
treated fabric was found to be much softer and its washing
fastness was found to be better than all the other treated samples.
An attempt w as also made to a ssess the healing activity of the
Kuppivaeni-treated shirr on skin allergies and rashes. This ecofriendly
antimicrobial finish has significant potential in curing skin
., diseases and offers excellent scope in forthcoming years.