Modified Cellulosic Fabrics with Eugenol Added for Longer-Lasting and Better Antibacterial Activity

Kavita A. L; Rukmani A; Sundrarajan M

Abstract

Eugenol was added to cyclodextrin-grafted organic cotton to create antibacterial textiles with increased efficacy and durability. Grafting of β-cyclodextrin on fabric was done with citric acid as cross linker in the presence of sodium hypophosphite by fixing at 150oC for 10 min. UV-Visible and FTIR spectral studies of β-Cyclodextrin, β-Cyclodextrin-grafted fabric, ungrafted fabric, eugenol and eugenol –loaded fabric confirmed the inclusion of eugenol on grafted fabric. Eugenol was recovered from ungrafted and grafted fabric by extraction with ethanol and it was quantified by performing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and its level was remarkably higher in grafted fabric. Eugenol-loaded ungrafted and grafted fabrics were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by agar diffusion method and inhibition was more pronounced in E.Coli. Inclusion of antibacterial agent into grafted fabric showed enhanced inhibition effect with durability after 10 cycles of washing, while it was not retained in ungrafted fabric. Grafting of Cyclodextrin on fabric and inclusion of eugenol into their cavity produced a durable antibacterial textile.