BGMEA UNIVERSITY OF FASHION AND TECHNOLOGY

Course Title: Wet Processing Engineering -II

Course code: TEX3201

TOPIC: ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

MR. SHAFAT AHMED BIN KAMAL ID:191-309-801
LECTURER, DEPT. OF TE ID:191-314-801
BUFT ID: 191-318-801
ID:191-323-801
ID:191-351-801
 Microorganisms
 Microorganisms are the tiniest creatures not
seen by the naked eye. They include a
variety of micro organisms like bacteria,
fungi, algae and viruses. Bacteria are
unicellular organisms, which grow very
rapidly under warmth and moisture.
 Effect of Microbial Growth on Textiles

 The presence of microorganisms in textile substrate causes health problems, odour and finally fabric
deterioration.
 Microbial attack leads to discolouration and loss of functional properties like elasticity and tensile
strength.
 During the growth of microorganisms, they breakdown nutrients such as sweat and soil and produce
odour causing molecules.
 Also bacteria convert human perspiration in to foul smelling substances.
 Garments provide moisture and darkness and thus enhance the microbial infections.
Sources of microorganisms
  What are antimicrobials?

 Antimicrobials control, destroy or suppress the growth of microorganisms and

their negative effects of odour, staining and deterioration.
 Need for Antimicrobial Finish

 To control microorganisms.
 To protect the textile materials from microbial degradation, discolouration and
staining.
 To prevent cross infection by pathogenic microorganisms.
 To increase fabric durability.
 To reduce the risk of cross infection being carried by feet from ward to ward in
hospital.
 To reduce the frequency of laundering and thereby saves water and energy.
Requirements for Antimicrobial Finish
 Durability to washing, dry cleaning and hot pressing.
 Selective activity to undesirable microorganisms.
 Should not produce harmful effects to the manufacturer, user and the
environment.
 Should comply with the statutory requirements of regulating agencies.
 Compatibility with the chemical processes.
 Easy method of application
 Types of Antimicrobial Agents

 Antimicrobial agents used in textile industry are of two type:

Natural Synthetic
 Natural Antimicrobial Agents

 The sources of natural antimicrobial agents are

medicinal plants, marine and terrestrial organism,
including fungi and bacteria.
 Compounds extracted from different parts of
plants such as bark, leaves, roots, flowers etc.
 These antimicrobials are eco-friendly and non-
toxic.
Natural Antimicrobial Agents

Neem Extract Aloe Vera

Natural Antimicrobial Agents

Prickly Chaff Flower Tulsi Leaves

 Synthetic Antimicrobial Agents

 Antimicrobial agents that are manufactured by

chemical synthesis are called synthetic
antimicrobial agents.
 Synthetics agents are further classified into

Organic Agent

Inorganic Agents
 Organic Agents

Triclosan Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

 Organic Agents
Monomethylol-5,5-
Poly Hexa Methylene Biguanide Dimethylhydanatoin
 Inorganic Metals and Its Oxides
Silver
 Amongst all antimicrobial agents, silver
is the most important with respect to
textiles. Silver has broad-spectrum of
antimicrobial action.
 Silver is generally safe and effective in
controlling bacteria.
 Two principal methods of incorporating
silver in textile: blending with the
polymer during or prior to extrusion and
fiber or fabric coating.
 Inorganic Metals and Its Oxides
Zinc
 Zinc exhibits antimicrobial activity.
 Fabric treated with zinc sulphide exhibited
antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E.
coil and enhances wound healing.
 Zinc nanoparticles also acts as effective
antimicrobials.

Copper
 Copper is another metal that has be used for disinfecting material for hundreds of years.
 Copper is considered a safe antimicrobial agent.
Different Antimicrobial Finishing Methods
 The textile fabrics can be finished with antimicrobial agents by different methods.

By using Spun in Additives

Padding
Exhaust Method
Polymer modification
Nanotechnology
 By using Spun in Additives

 The antibacterial finish is given to the synthetic fibers by incorporating anti

microbial agents melt and spinning dope solution
 Variours anti bacterial agents can be incorporated in the polymer matrix during the
fiber or yarn manufacturing process
 Padding
 This method is simple and easy to
perform
 But The durability of the finish is poor
because of weak linkage between the
fibers and antimicrobial agents
 In this method the fabric is immersed in
aqueous solution containing antimicrobial
agents for 5-10 mins and padded through
squezz rolls.
 The Fabric are then dried and cured at a
specific temperature and time.
 Exhaust Method

 The fabric is soaked in solution containing

antimicrobial agents and allowed to reach
equilibrium .
 This method enable the movement of
finishing agents from the solution on to the
fabric until it is completely exhausted.
 Polymer modification

 Polymer Modification is brought about by

means of copolymerization using monomers
with bio active functional groups.
 Advantages of this method is that the
bioactive elements form an integral of the
fiber , resulting in durable effects.
 Disadvantage is that technology is expensive
due to the need of special polymerization
plants.
 Nanotechnology

 Cotton fabric finished with nanoparticles

prepared from neem extract exhibited
excellent antimicrobial activity.
 Antimicrobial activity was retained even
after 25 washes whereas the fabric coated
with neem extract retained the
antimicrobial activity only upto 10
washes .
Methods for improving the Durability of
the Finish
 In solubilization of the active substance in or on the fibre.
 Treating the fibre with resin, condensates or cross linking agent.
 Micro encapsulation of the antimicrobial agents with the fibre matrix.
 Chemical modification of the fibre by covalent bond formation.
 Use of graft polymers, homopolymers and or co-polymerization on to the fiber.
 Evaluation of Antimicrobial activity
The Antimicrobial activity of the textile substrate is evaluated by four methods:

Agar Diffusion Test

Bacterial Reduction Test

Soil Burial Test

Humidity Chamber Test

 Agar diffusion test is a preliminary test to detect the diffusive antimicrobial finish
 It is not suitable for non-diffusive finishes
 Applications

 Anti-bacterial finish is used in hygienic use apparel and sportswear.

 The anti-bacterial finished undergarments prevent skin related diseases and
urinary tract infection.
 It is also desirable for baby clothing as their thin skin is permeable and highly
sensitive to microbes.
 Antimicrobial finish is given to industrial fabrics like tents and ropes to protect it
from mildew and rotting, to home furnishing textiles such as carpets, shower
curtains and upholstery.
 Antimicrobial finishes to provide fabrics with barriers against microorganisms.
The application of antimicrobial agents to textiles is important to prevent
microbial attack which results in degradation of the textile and to obtain the
aesthetic, hygienic or medical functions.
 Benefits of Antimicrobial Textiles

A wide range textile product is now available for the benefit of the consumer. Initially, the
primary objective of the finish was to protect textiles from being affected by microbes
particularly fungi. Uniforms, tents, defense textiles and technical textiles, such as, geotextiles
have therefore all been finished using antimicrobial agents. Later, the home textiles, such as,
curtains coverings, and bath mats came with antimicrobial finish. The application of the finish
is now extended to textiles used for outdoor, healthcare sector, sports and leisure. Novel
technologies in antimicrobial finishing are successfully employed in non-woven sector
especially in medical textiles.