Antimicrobial finishes fabrics treated

Chlorine retention is a special problem with amine and amide-containing finishes. When fabrics treated with these finishes are laundered with chlorine bleach, unsubstituted nitrogen atoms can react to form chloramines (Fig. 5.10). Chloramines hydrolyse to form hypochlorous acid that can decompose to materials that will degrade cellulose by significant strength loss and marked yellowing. DMDHEU products show less chlorine retention than do TMM or DMU products. Chlorine retention of A -methylol-based finishes is used for antimicrobial effects (Chapter 15.4 and Fig. 15.3 and 15.4). 

The log reduction of the bacterial activity was calculated, and it was noted that the sample treated with water repellent only decreased the antimicrobial activity of the fabric. A negative log reduction indicates more bacterial growth than an untreated sample. Although the reasons for this are unknown, it makes the difference between this and DADMAC-based antimicrobial finish more significant. These samples were antimicrobial enough to overcome the starting disadvantage caused by the water-repellent treatment and impart substantial antimicrobial functionality to the fabric (Davis etal., 2011). 

Monolaurin (mono-ester of glycerol and lauric acid) is found in coconut oil and is claimed to have in vitro antibacterial and antiviral effects (Carpo et al., 2(X)7). Fabrics were finished with monolaurin and their antibacterial activity was examined according to the agar diffusion test (ISO 20645). The samples possessed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, but were not effective against E. coli (De Smet et al, 2014). Table 1.9 summarizes the antibacterial effect of textiles treated with different biobased antimicrobial products. The concentrations mentioned are dry weight concentrations (w/w) of the antibacterial additive onto the textile. 

The final results of these biocompatibility studies fiom the Oldaman report indicated that the AEM 5700/5772 Antimicrobial treated fidnic is noTKtoxic, non-irrit ing and nonsensitizing to human skin, and has a permanent antimicrobial crqpacity that caimot be extracted in use. These pre-clinical studies provide suffiderrt information to allow us to predict the biocompatihility of the finished products and siqtport their safe clinical use. As such, the treated fabric was considered safe fin- use in suigery. Yeats of clinical use with no untoward effects also support the suitability of the treated ric for its intended use. 

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