Antimicrobial Approaches for Textiles: From Research to Market

Abstract

The large surface area and ability to retain moisture of textile structures enable microorganisms’ growth, which causes a range of undesirable effects, not only on the textile itself, but also on the user. Due to the public health awareness of the pathogenic effects on personal hygiene and associated health risks, over the last few years, intensive research has been promoted in order to minimize microbes’ growth on textiles. Therefore, to impart an antimicrobial ability to textiles, different approaches have been studied, being mainly divided into the inclusion of antimicrobial agents in the textile polymeric fibers or their grafting onto the polymer surface. Regarding the antimicrobial agents, different types have been used, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, triclosan, metal salts, polybiguanides or even natural polymers. Any antimicrobial treatment performed on a textile, besides being efficient against microorganisms, must be non-toxic to the consumer and to the environment. This review mainly intends to provide an overview of antimicrobial agents and treatments that can be performed to produce antimicrobial textiles, using chemical or physical approaches, which are under development or already commercially available in the form of isolated agents or textile fibers or fabrics.

Antimicrobial coating of textiles by laccase in situ polymerization of catechol and p-phenylenediamine

“…Fiber-based textile materials have been used for various purposes such as clothing, domestic home furnishings, food packaging, sport equipment, medical devices, healthcare, and hygienic applications [1]. The large surface area and capacity to retain moisture enable the growth of microorganisms on these textile structures, hence causing a range of undesirable effects to textiles and users and becoming a health and safety issue [1]. To minimize these problems, vast research has been undertaken on the development of different methods of protection of textile surfaces against microbial growth [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

Evaluation of the Influenza Risk Reduction from Antimicrobial Spray Application on Porous Surfaces

“…However, interruption of the chain of transmission involving indirect contact via surfaces is the focus of a combination of both hand hygiene and surface sanitation. Many companies develop multiple antimicrobial products sold all over the world to millions of people . Some of these products are used to enhance hygiene practices and reduce the transmission of infectious agents by inactivation of pathogens on treated surfaces.…”

“…Many companies develop multiple antimicrobial products sold all over the world to millions of people. (22) Some of these products are used to enhance hygiene practices and reduce the transmission of infectious agents by inactivation of pathogens on treated surfaces. One of these products, an antimicrobial spray product for treating porous and nonporous surfaces, is the subject of this study.…”

Impact and Scope of Intelligent Textiles in Health Care

“…Non-thermal plasma technology is useful for immobilization of metal particles and plasma deposited coatings which enhance con-trolled release [43]. Commercially available product is Silvadur [44].…”