The efficacy of antifungal azole and antiprotozoal compounds in protection of wool from keratin-digesting insect larvae

Abstract

The seven azole compounds, econazole nitrate, sulconazole nitrate, miconazole nitrate, thiabendazole, epoxiconazole, propiconazole, and tebuconazole, were applied to wool fabrics at 3.0% on mass of wool and the protection from wool-digesting Tineola bisselliella (common clothes moth) larvae was assessed in bioassays. Econazole nitrate gave the greatest protection according to Wools of New Zealand Test Method 25, easily passing the bioassay. Other good results with sulconazole and epoxiconazole led to further bioassays being performed with Australian carpet beetle larvae Anthrenocerus australis. Propiconazole provided the most effective protection of wool from this species, with a concentration of approximately 0.4% on mass of wool predicted to give adequate insect resistance. A combination of propiconazole and isoniazid was trialed against Anthrenocerus australis, without any synergistic effect. The antiprotozoal compound pentamidine isethionate had no measurable effect on Anthrenocerus australis larvae, but provided a moderate anti-feeding effect on Tineola bisselliella. Antimicrobial compounds could affect the digestive process of wool-digesting insects either directly or by their effects on any gut flora and/or fauna. Azoles are antifungal compounds, and are likely to disrupt the insect utilisation of cholesterol by inhibiting the cytochrome P450 enzymes. Propiconazole was trialed as a dyebath-applied insect-proofing agent on piece-dyed carpet, showing inefficient uptake onto wool, but good fastness to carpet shampooing and light exposure.

The application of biosurfactants for scouring wool

“…All sectors of the textile processing industry are striving to increase their sustainability [13] and the wool sector is no exception [14][15][16][17][18]. Research into the scouring of raw wool (wool scouring) has included investigations into the effects of ultrasound [19], complexing agents [20], increasing the value of recovered wool grease [21], the colour of scoured wool and many other aspects [22][23][24][25].…”

Pattu: The Dying Fabric Making Art of Baltistan

“…That is why it is back in demand not only for clothing but multiple other purposes (McNeil, Sunderland, & Leighs, 2017) and technical uses (Rossi, Emanuele, Andrea, Elisabetta, & Franco, 2016). Its properties can be enhanced by using different chemicals to make it resistant to fire, crease, and water, insects and microbes (Sunderland, Robert, & Samuel, 2014). It can also be used for decreasing pollution by absorbing heavy metals (Hanzlikova, et al, 2018) and pollutants in the air (Mansour, 2018).…”

Syntheses and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activities of Halogenated Imidazoles and Their Mn(ii), Ni(ii), and Zn(ii) Complexes

“…Its compounds have a wide spectrum of activities against many organisms. Derivatives of imidazole have also been discovered to possess extensive bioactive properties as antimicrobial [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], anti-HIV [9], anticancer [10][11][12], analgesic [13][14], and antiinflammatory [15] agents. Halogenated imidazoles are not left out in the bioactive substances containing the imidazole moiety.…”