Introduction: Bacterial proliferation in health environments may lead to the development of specific pathologies, but can be highly dangerous under particular conditions, such as during chemotherapy. To limit the spread of infections, it is helpful to use gauzes and clothing containing antibacterial agents. As cotton tissues are widespread in health care environments, in this contribution we report the preparation of cellulose fibers characterized by the covalent attachment of lipopeptides as possible antimicrobial agents. Aim: To covalently link peptides to cotton samples and characterize them. Peptides are expected to preserve the features of the fabrics even after repeated washing and use. Peptides are well tolerated by the human body and do not induce resistance in bacteria. Materials and Methods: A commercially available cotton tissue (specific weight of 150 g/m2, 30 Tex yarn fineness, fabric density of 270/230 threads/10 cm in the warp and weft) was washed with alkali and bleached and died. A piece of this tissue was accurately weighed, washed with methanol (MeOH) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and air-dried. Upon incubation with epibromohydrin, followed by treatment with Fmoc-NH-CH2CH2-NH2 and Fmoc removal, the peptides were synthesized by incorporating one amino acid at a time, beginning with the formation of an amide bond with the free NH2 of 1,2–diaminoethane. We also linked to the fibers a few peptide dendrimers, because the mechanism of action of these peptides often requires the formation of clusters. We prepared and characterized seven peptide-cotton samples. Results: The new peptide-cotton conjugates were characterized by means of FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). This latter technique allows for discriminating among different amino acids and thus different peptide-cotton samples. Some samples maintain a pretty good whiteness degree even after peptide functionalization. Interestingly, these samples also display encouraging activities against a Gram positive strain. Conclusions: Potentially antimicrobial lipopeptides can be covalently linked to cotton fabrics, step-by-step. It is also possible to build on the cotton Lys-based dendrimers. XPS is a useful technique to discriminate among different types of nitrogen. Two samples displaying some antibacterial potency did also preserve their whiteness index.
The main result and characterizing aspect of the research consists of the effectiveness of novel ZnO-linen fibrous composites synthesized by means of hydrothermal deposition of zinc oxide onto linen fibers, with the assistance of two surfactants. This has a direct implication on the relationship between the morphological, structural and chemical attributes and water vapor sorption-desorption behavior. Methodology consists of the hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide onto linen fibrous substrates previously grafted with MCT-β-CD (MonoChloroTriazinyl–β-CycloDextrin) via a hydrothermal process. The morphological, structural and chemical properties of the samples were examined, in terms of a co-assisted investigation system: SEM images for the morphology, EDX analysis for surface composition, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry for structural samples features. Dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysis will complete this study. According to the results provided by the characterization technique, the uniformity of the fabric coated with ZnO powder hydrothermally synthesized with assistance of CTAB (Cetyl TrimethylAmmonium Bromide) is better than that of ZnO powder hydrothermally synthesized in the presence of Pluronic P123 and possesses good washing fastness. X-ray diffraction results have indicated that the composites exhibited a more ordered structure and higher water vapor sorption-desorption capacity (obtained by DVS analysis) compared with those of the reference fibrous linen supports.
Surfaces of bamboo derived cellulosic fibrous systems have been modified by air-plasma treatment. Their deformational response was studied to establish the relationship between their three-dimensional profile and permanent deformation as a measure of their comfort properties since the fibrous system made of natural polymer comes into contact with the skin. The composite should have a permanent deformation close to zero, in order to be, in terms of dimensions, as stable as possible. By analyzing the area of 1 cm 2 using a Universal Surface Tester (UST), different 3D surface diagrams and surface roughness values were obtained. This type of surface investigation provides relevant information about the permanent deformation response of the studied surface, for comfort purposes. The deformation responses and roughness levels were studied (the roughness being the parameter quantifying the 3D geometry of the systems surface). The effect of airplasma surface modification on the deformation response of bamboo derived cellulosic fibrous systems and optimization of their 3D surface structure to enhance comfort-related properties proved to be substantial. The surface modifications induced by air-plasma treatment are in a good correlation with the mechanical behavior. As expected, the roughness levels of samples studied using ball sensors are higher than those of specimens scanned using a papillary sensor. Knitted polymer fibrous matrix T1 shows a roughness level of 773 μm resulting from analyses using the ball sensor, while using the papillary sensor it was 102 μm, 86.8% less than before. The analysis of the dimensional stability of knitted polymer fibrous systems was performed by scanning with the papillary sensor, since it provides information comparable with human perception concerning the architecture of the sample surfaces.
Plant pigments gained popularity over synthetic dyes because of safety issues regarding the impact on health and environment. The present paper deals with optimization of anthocyanins extraction from Paeonia officinalis L. flowers and their application in cotton eco-dyeing processes. The results on extraction and mathematical models indicate improved extraction by ultrasonication at high solvent/solid ratio (50/1) compared to that by maceration. Among the investigated extraction solvents, the most efficient was 70% ethanol. Cotton dyeing was performed via conventional procedure and ultrasonication, in the presence and absence of classic mordant (copper sulphate) and biomordants (tannic and citric acids). A successful dyeing was obtained according to ATR-FTIR analysis of mordanted dyed samples. The colour properties of dyed cellulosic substrates as determined by CIELAB system showed higher redness values and large positive differences in chroma in samples dyed with peony extract by exhaustion in presence of high concentration of citric acid.
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