Development of advanced sanitary materials with the use of probiotic paste

Abstract

Cotton sanitary towels were functionalized by probiotic paste with incorporated Lactobacillus L. fermentum LN99, L. rhamnosus LN113, and L. gasseri LN40 in order to reduce the possibility of infection or inflammation during menstruation and to develop a friendlier product. These towels were characterized through elemental composition using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, determination of the pH of aqueous extract, water retention, capillary properties, determination of absorption capacity, and microbiological testing, to assess the antimicrobials’ function and stability of lactic bacteria paste as a coating for sanitary towels. The results of the used methods show that the physical–mechanical properties of towels functionalized by probiotic paste are not significantly different if compared to non-treated ones. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy set the successful functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste due to the occurrence of typical probiotics paste peaks. The pH of the probiotic-functionalized sanitary towels was reduced in comparison to the reference material to an acidified region of pH = 5.6, which is an ideal environment for maintaining physiological pH. The decrease in water retention of towels after functionalization is relatively low (8.48 %). The sorption behavior of towels was worse by up to 15% regardless of the reference material, which is still acceptable from a practical point of view and internal standards of the included company Tosama d.o.o. The probiotic-functionalized sanitary towels absorb synthetic blood faster than the reference ones, due to compatibility of the paste with synthetic blood. Moreover, towels obtain functionalities such as good condition for lactobacilli growth with simultaneous pH adjusting, as well as introducing of Staphylococcus aureus reduction. Functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste showed a commercial potential to reduce the probability of infection during the menstruation cycle, as well as being a more customer-friendly product.

Probiotic lactobacilli in formulas and hygiene products for the health of the urogenital tract

“…A group of experts from the Polish Gynecological Society evaluated the available bibliography and issued a statement concluding that this product is an innovative solution allowing the vaginal application of strains with beneficial probiotic properties during menstrual bleeding 177 . Sauperl et al 173 have later proposed the incorporation of a probiotic paste with the same LN strains to the surface of sanitary napkins in the design of functionalized sanitary products.…”

Probiotics in Cosmetic and Personal Care Products: Trends and Challenges

“…The application of strains directly into the vagina using suppositories that are applied vaginally is approved in Canada [ 53 ]. Other products are being delivered through coating tampons and pomades [ 54 , 55 , 56 ], but further evidence is required to confirm they are probiotic and benefit the host.…”