Reviewon Recent Applications of Antimicrobial Agents for Polyamide and Polypropylene

Abstract

The growth of microbes on textiles during use and storage, will affects the wearer as well as the textile itself. The detrimental effects can be controlled by durable antimicrobial finishing of the textile using broad-spectrum biocides or by incorporating the biocide into synthetic fibers during extrusion. Consumers' attitude towards hygiene and active lifestyle has created a rapidly increasing market for antimicrobial textiles, which in turn has stimulated intensive research and development. This article is a review based on recent applications of antimicrobial agents to Polyamide (PA) and Polypropylene (PP) fabrics. The requirements for antimicrobial polyamide and polypropylene fibers such as, qualitative and quantitative evaluations of antimicrobial efficacy, the application methods of antimicrobial agents and some of the most recent developments in antimicrobial treatments of these fibers using various active agents ie silver, quaternary ammonium salts, polyhexamethylene biguanide, triclosan, chitosan, N-halamine compounds and fixation of antibiotics are discussed.