Permanent Attachment of Antimicrobial onto Cellulosic Materials and Textiles

University of Georgia Research Foundation
posted on 07/12/2010

Microbial contamination is one of the most serious concerns in several areas of life such as textiles, food packaging, and surface cleaning among others. Recently antimicrobial agents have gained more interested from both academic and industrial points of view because of their potential to provide safety benefits to many materials. Currently, antimicrobials are presented as washes and as blends with other materials. These forms do not warrant permanent and/or economically viable solutions for many applications. Often such antimicrobial agents leach out of the substrate as, for instance, when treated textiles are washed. Currently, there is a substantial worldwide market for antimicrobial textiles. In 2000 the worldwide production of antimicrobial textiles was 100,000 tons, 30% of which in Western Europe alone. The Western European market has witnessed a 15% AAGR from 2000 and 2005. Applications of interest include undergarments, towels, paper towels, medical fabrics (e.g. gauze and garments) and sports attire to name a few .The development of a widely applicable, permanent, with broad activity and inexpensive antimicrobial treatments to textiles is needed

Suggested Uses

Rendering any cellulosic material with permanent, broad spectrum, antimicrobial activity. Examples include fibers, fabrics, paper filters, undergarments, medical textiles, A/C filters. Rendering certain synthetic polymers (and materials employing them) also with permanent, broad spectrum, antimicrobial activity. Possible domestic use for the conversion of existing garment items.

Advantages

Simple , inexpensive and high-yield synthesis; applicable to any cellulose-based material; active against both Gram-negative and –positive bacteria. Durable treatment which withstands hot laundry cycle. Can be applied during normal processing/manufacture of textile materials. Does not require the use of organic solvents for application.

Innovation Details

Detailed Description

Research at Dr. Locklin’s lab led to the development of a novel and inexpensive antimicrobial treatment applicable to any cellulosic (and certain artificial) materials, such as fibers, fabrics, filters, and finished items. The active ingredient is prepared by a 3-step synthesis (2-step possible). The antimicrobial treatment was applied, for instance, to cotton fabric using the exhaustion method. Full coverage of the fabric sample is achieved in less than 1h. Durability of the treatment was verified by sonication and laundry-cycles methods. Antimicrobial tests followed AATCC Test Method 147-2003 protocols and both Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial cultures were employed in the tests. Absolutely no bacterial growth was observed on or under the textile samples added to the cultures, even after 24h of incubation at 37 oC.

File Number: 1554

Other Information:

patent pending

IP Protection

License Online

This innovation currently is not available for online licensing. Please contact Gennaro Gama at University of Georgia Research Foundation for more information.

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