Authors Mariyam Adnan1, Jeyakodi Moses J
Silk and lyocell fibers were blended in the ratio of 50:50 and woven into a plain weave fabric. Aloe vera based microcapsules were used to impart antibacterial finish on silk/lyocell blended fabrics and assessed by SEM, EDX, FTIR, agar diffusion test, bacterial reduction test, and wash durability test. SEM analysis showed aloe vera capsules impregnated in the fabric. EDX also showed the presence of aloe vera in the fabric by showing the presence of chemical elements like Mg, Ca, K, Al and Fe which were not present in the untreated fabric. The results of agar diffusion test clearly show that aloe vera treated fabrics have very good antibacterial properties and do not allow the growth of bacteria in the treated fabric. The zone of inhibition was found to be very good and ranged from 28 mm to 30 mm. Bacterial reduction test showed the percentage reduction values of both the microorganisms S. aureus and E. coli to be more than 97%. The wash durability of aloe vera treated fabrics lasted up to 25 washes. Silk is a natural fiber priced for its vanity, versatility, wearability, and comfort. Despite all the wonderful properties silk possesses, it is extremely costly. Lyocell is a regenerated cellulosic fiber which offers luxury, less cost and surpasses all other cellulosic fibers in terms of properties, aesthetics and importantly Eco friendliness in manufacturing. Lyocell is 100% natural in origin, has better dyeability than other cellulosic, softness and drape, luxurious handle, good moisture retention and hence wearing comfort, and good dimensional stability. Notably, lyocell fiber blends well with various natural and synthetic fibers, like cotton, linen, rayon, polyester, lycra, nylon, silk, and wool. The stress-strain characteristics of lyocell make it an ideal partner with the various textile fibers. silk and lyocell were blended so that one can enjoy the richness of silk and excellent softness of lyocell. Since, silk and lyocell belong to the category of protein and cellulosic fibers respectively; they are prone to microbial attack and can be damaged easily. Therefore, their protection against microbes becomes imperative to preserve their individual properties and widen its spectrum of applications. The use of natural agents such as chitosan, neem and natural dyes for antimicrobial finishing of textiles has been widely reported. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is known Lily of the desert and belongs to the family Liliaceae. The aloe leaf consists of two major parts, the outer green rind and the inner colorless parenchyma containing the aloe gel. Polysaccharides in aloe gel are mainly responsible for their antimicrobial activity. There are different polysaccharides in aloe vera such as glucose, glucomannan, galactogalacturan and lactomannan with different composition as well as acetylated acemannan. Acemannan is a long chain polymer consisting of randomly acetylated linear D-mannopyranosyl units having antibacterial and antifungal properties. some important bioactive constituents such as P-methyl benzoic acid, 2-thiophene carboxylic acid and dimethyl 4-chlorophenyl thiophosphate having antibacterial activities were found by subjecting the aloe vera extract to the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). This study highlights the use of aloe vera as an effective antibacterial agent. The antibacterial activity of aloe vera which showed that aloe vera extract of methanol gave the maximum antibacterial activity as compared to other solvent extracts. A major limitation in antimicrobial finishing with natural agents is the non-durability of the finish. Finishing by microencapsulation method can increase the durability of antimicrobial finish on textiles as it offers many advantages compared to conventional process, in terms of economy, eco-friendliness and controlled release of substance. The antimicrobial activity of aloe vera extract against bacteria and found that methanol extract showed maximum inhibitory activity against E. coli and Candida. Was identified, quantified, and compared the phytochemical contents, antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activities of Aloe vera lyophilized leaf gel and 95% ethanol leaf gel extracts. Although considerable research work has been carried out in the past on the medical uses of aloe vera, its antibacterial activity on textile substrate is not widely reported. The present work aims at developing a natural antibacterial finish on silk/lyocell blended fabric using aloe vera microcapsules.
