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Health and hygiene are the primary requirements for human beings to live comfortably and work with maximum efficiency. The present study focuses on the development of herbal chitosan nanocomposite finishes for protective clothing. The medicinal plant (Azadirachta indica) was selected, and bioactive compounds were extracted. The neem chitosan nanocomposites were prepared using multiple emulsion/ solvent evaporation method. The neem chitosan nanocomposites were finished on to 100% cotton fabrics using pad dry cure method. The antibacterial activity of the fabrics were assessed using standard AATCC 100 and 147 test methods. The neem chitosan nanocomposites treated fabrics showed an increased antimicrobial activity than the other fabric treatments (neem chitosan composite, neem, and chitosan). The scanning electron microscopic results showed that the nanocomposites were essentially spherical in the size range of 50-100nm.

The use of materials created through nanotechnology is expected to dramatically increase over the next few years. Nanotechnology can provide high durability for fabrics because nanoparticles have a large surface area to volume ratio and high surface energy, thus presenting better a±nity for fabrics, leading to an increase in durability of the function. In this study herbal plants such as Curcuma longa and Datura metel were selected, and bioactive compounds were extracted and standardized. Nanoparticles of the medicinal plant extracts were prepared by coacervation method using bovine serum albumin, cross-linked with gluteraldehyde and¯nished on 100% pure cotton by pad-dry-cure method. The antimicrobial activities of the nanoparticlestreated cotton fabrics were found to be higher than that of the control fabrics in both AATCC 147 and Hohestein Challenge test.

The conventional scouring process involving the harsh environment is slowly being replaced with environment friendly approach using enzymes. These enzymes remove the non cellulosic impurities present in the fabric. Such a process would enhance the absorbency of the fabric without appreciable strength loss and also would help in the proper dyeing and finishing of the fabric. In the present work pectinase enzyme was isolated from Fusariumn sp. and was optimized under different cultural conditions. The partially purified pectinase enzyme was used in the scouring of cotton fabric. The efficiency of the bioscoured cotton fabric was compared with that of the conventionally scoured fabric. It was found that the water absorbing character of the bioscoured fabric was found to be considerably higher than that of the conventionally scoured fabric. Also, the tensile strength of the cotton fabric was found to be higher for the sample treated using pectinase enzyme than the sample treated conventionally. The results of FTIR confer that the pectin and wax impurities were removed from the cotton surface in both the conventionally scoured and bioscoured fabrics.

Purpose:Miliaria is also known as Sweat rash or Prickly heat, common aliment of the eccrine sweat glands that often occurs in conditions of increased heat and humidity. It is especially prevalent in babies and infants. Miliaria crystalline is the one which cause multiple tiny blisters resulting in rapidly evolving noninflammatory vesicles. The present study was mainly carried out to explore the use of herbal plants primarily Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Mint (Mentha arvensis) leaves for the development of AntiMiliaria cotton fabrics using AATCC methods.Method:Methanolic extracts of the poly herb were prepared. Microorganisms were isolated, microbiologic and histological features of the samples were evaluated. The preliminary antimicrobial activity of different extracts was performed by agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts was evaluated using standard procedures. After evaluation, the crude poly herbal extracts were coated on to the cotton fabrics using pad dry cure method. The antimicrobial assessment of poly herb treated cotton fabrics assessed using AATCC standard methods.Result:The organisms isolated from the Miliaria samples are Staphylococcus epidermis. The preliminary results showed that Neem (Azadirachta indica) and mint (Mentha arvensis) leaves having better antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermis. The Poly herbal treated fabrics were further characterized chemically. The Antimicrobial assessment of poly herb treated cotton fabrics showed increased antimicrobial activity than control fabric. It showed 100% bacterial reduction in poly herb treated fabrics until 10 washes.Conclusion:The use of medicinal plants is a worldwide phenomenon. Every part of the world prefers medicinal herbs to treat disease than commercially available antibiotics. Further in vivo studies will help to understand the mechanism of action of antimicrobial fabrics on the Miliaria infection.

Purpose:Plantar hyperkeratosis commonly called cracked heel is a common condition among adults. Causes for plantar hyperkeratosis are many and include genetic defects reflected in skin structure, allergic dermatoses, and paraneoplastic syndromes seen with particular forms of internal malignancy. Treatment for this condition could be possibly done using traditional herbs. The current study throws light on the cure of plantar hyperkeratosis using socks worn daily.Method:Solanum xanthocarpum powder and Aleo vera were subjected to different solvent extracts and its antimicrobial activity against isolated organism was studied. The solvent extract showing highest zone of inhibition was chosen and nanoparticle was synthesized by ionic gelification method and characterized physically and chemically. Synthesized nanoparticles were coated onto the socks using pad dry cure method. The antibacterial activity of the socks was then studied using AATCC 100 and 147. The nanoparticle treated socks was chemically characterized using FTIR analysis. The socks were then analyzed in vivo.Result:The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using HRTEM analysis and it was spherical. The nanoparticles coated socks showed a better activity against the organisms isolated from patients having plantar hyperkeratosis. The activity of the socks was tested in vivo among 20 patients and this proved to be promising cure. The wash durability of the socks was effective until 20 washes.Conclusion:The results showed that the formulated socks were effective against treatment of cracked heel and it also proves to be antimicrobial in nature. The effective durability of the socks was due the control and sustained release of herbal extracts from nanoparticle. Plantar hyperkeratosis could burden immune compromised patients such as diabetes, these kinds of herbal socks would be a better option for this treatment than the conventionally used time consuming treatments.