Antimicrobial Functional Finishes

An ideal antimicrobial functional finish should fulfill the following requirements [36, 47, 66,128,133,150]  

Additionally, antimicrobial finish kill microorganism or inhibit their growth by [12,36,47] 

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Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was used to form ionic bonds with Acrilan (acrylonitrile copolymer) woven fabrics in order to confer antimicrobial functions to the fabrics. The finished fabrics showed good efficacy against Escherichia coli and the washing durability of the antimicrobial properties was excellent. The CPC uptake on the Acrilan fibres depended on the pH during the finishing process, concentration of the CPC and the finishing temperature. High pH and temperatures were... 

Doakhan et al. [28] have studied the feasibility of using sericin/ Ti02 nanocomposite as antimicrobial finishing agent to impart antimicrobial functionality to cotton fabric, using the pad-dry-cure technique in the presence and absence of polycarboxylic acid as a cross-linker, e.g., BTCA, CA. The obtained results showed that... 

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). 

Cho, J. S., Choo, G. (1997). Effect of a dual function finish containing an antibiotic a fluorochemical on the antimicrobial properties blood repeUency of surgical gown materials. Textile Research Journal, 67(12), 875—880. 

A number of disinfectants apparentiy owe their activity to formaldehyde, although there is argument on whether some of them function by other mechanisms. In this category, the dmg with the longest history is hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine, urotropin) [100-97-0] which is a condensation product of formaldehyde and ammonia that breaks down by acid hydrolysis to produce formaldehyde. Hexamine was first used for urinary tract antisepsis. Other antimicrobials that are adducts of formaldehyde and amines have been made others are based on methylolate derivations of nitroalkanes. The apphcations of these compounds are widespread, including inactivation of bacterial endotoxin preservation of cosmetics, metal working fluids, and latex paint and use in spin finishes, textile impregnation, and secondary oil recovery (117). 

The inactive ingredient is used at a level no higher than reasonably required to achieve its physical or technical function. For example, an antimicrobial excipient ingredient could only be used at a level consistent with preservation of the finished product (not at therapeutic levels), and a sunscreen ingredient could only be used at levels that protected the product from breaking down if the top of the jar was left open, not for protecting the user. 

Synthetic antimicrobial agents have not been modeled after any natural product, so they may not properly be termed antibiotics. Some synthetics are extremely effective for treatment of infections and are widely used. Very few antibiotics are known to work in precisely the same way as these agents in killing bacteria. Also curious is the fact that those agents, for which the molecular mode of action is known, are at present nearly all effective against key enzymes needed for the biosynthesis or functioning of nucleic acids. Because they interrupt the biosynthesis or functions of nucleic acids rather than attack the finished products or substitute for them in nucleic acids, they are not genotoxic but are comparatively safe to use. 

Consequently, the need for innovative, cleaner, durable, comfortable, cost-efficient, and value-added functionalized cellulosic textile products, e.g., antimicrobial, UV protection, self-cleaning, easy care, soft-handle, insect repellent, water/oll repellent, antiodor and fragrance finished, etc., are still a challenge [12,47,91, 111, 127]. 

An improvement in both antimicrobial activity and UV protection functionality of finished cotton... 

In addition to familiar materials, microfibres made from different polymers offer innovative new functional textiles. Fibres or textiles finished to provide antimicrobial or temperature control properties also open new... 

Further work could be carried out in order to extend the durability of the antimicrobial property by using different cross-linking agents. The fabric can be functionally enhanced by applying other surface finishes, such as to improve the handle of the fabric. The durability aspect of the antimicrobial finish can be studied over larger number of washes than those conducted during this study. The fabric can also be functionally enhanced by applying other types of finishes. 

Finishing Materials Engineered textiles have a tremendous potential as components of ceiling, wall, and flooring structures. Their use as awnings, tarps, and tents are well integrated into healthcare facilities as functional and decorative materials. These aesthetic and functional materials all benefit from antimicrobial treatments. 

Housekeeping Goods From wipes, mops, sponges to other cleaning supplies, engineered fabrics have utility and with an antimicrobial finish, serve a more durable and functional life. 

Chhosan can be considered as a multifunctional textile-finishing agent because hs antimicrobial activity can be combined witii other functions such a dyeing imptovanmt, antistatic and deodorant activity. However, the major limitations in its triplication on textiles include ... 

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