Polysulfone/Vanillin Microcapsules for Antibacterial and Aromatic Finishing of Fabrics

Abstract

Microencapsulation technology is being more and more applied in the textile industry because microcapsules can confer additional properties to conventional fabrics. In this context, polysulfone microcapsules containing vanillin were prepared, and their morphology, thermal stability, and antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus were assessed. The microcapsules were fabricated onto 100% cotton fabrics by a coating technique. The resistance of the coating to several washing cycles was studied, and the durability of the aromatic finishing was determined. Capsules were stable in the range between 20 and 100 °C, and they inhibited the growth of the bacteria at 37 °C for, at least, one week. Most of the capsules added to the fabric were flushed away between the first and second washing cycle; however, some capsules were still observed after the fifth washing. Finally, a survey was conducted in order to know how consumers perceived the aroma, before and after several washings. Survey data was statistically analyzed, and a model was built, which allowed the probability of maintained aromatic finishing for specific washing cycles to be predicted. Thus, this work sets the basis for further development of fabrics with antimicrobial activity and pleasant aromatic finishing based on polysulfone/vanillin capsules.

Studies on the interaction between vanillin and β-Amyloid protein via fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy

“…The pharmacological investigation [24] has proved that vanilla is of excellent biological activity, and can even be used by the injection of an effective dose amount [25] . Vanillin suppresses metastatic potential of human cancer cells via PI3K inhibition, decreases angiogenesis in vivo [26] and exhibits antibacterial and antimicrobial activities [27,28] . The latest research showed that vanillin elevated both serotonin and dopamine levels in brain tissue and could alleviate depressive symptoms in the rat model of chronic depression via the olfactory pathway [29] .…”

4. Emerging application of vanillin microcapsules

“…The experiments were conducted in a commercial washing machine (Bosch Maxx WFO-2063). As can be observed, the number of capsules decreased every washing cycle (see Table 4.3, extracted from a previous study [24]). The laundry program was intended to be as close as possible to the standard normal home laundry test conditions fixed by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.…”

“…A modified agar-well diffusion technique was employed [47] and petri dishes containing 15 mL of nutrient agar were filled with a mixture of 100 µL of standard 108 colony forming unit (CFU)/mL S. aureus. According to the published results [24], the inhibition diameter remain constant for at least 1 week, which means that PSf/vanillin microcapsules inhibited S. aureus for at least 1 week, showing promising results for the inhibition of the bacteria growth. Similar results had been previously reported [13].…”

“…The antibacterial and aromatic properties of vanillin could be used in several fabric products [17,24]. The antibacterial and aromatic properties of vanillin could be used in several fabric products [17,24].…”

Plasma-assisted deposition of microcapsule containingAloe veraextract for cosmeto-textiles

“…Textile manufacturers are demonstrating particularly interest in the application of durable fragrances to textile as well as skin softeners [2]. In this context, microencapsulation technology is a growing area in textile industry [3]. Microencapsulation is a technique of surrounding solid, liquid or gas particles with a continuous film or polymeric material ranging in size from 1 µm to 1 mm.…”