Development of Chitosan-Based Antimicrobial and Fluid-Repellent Cotton Fabric for Eco-Friendly Surgical Gowns

Résumé fourni par la source

Bacteria and other hazardous substances are produced onto the surgical gowns during various surgical operations. These undesirable substances cause problems for the medical staff and the patients as well. To avoid the production of bacteria, and to avoid the absorption of liquid contaminations, the surgical gown fabric is given both an antibacterial and fluid repellent treatment. Pure cotton fabric is used due to its properties of high absorbency, high tensile strength, comfortability, and durability. Three finishes are applied by pad dry-cure method in different concentrations onto the pure cotton fabric, including antibacterial RUCO-BAC (MED), fluid repellent RUCO-GUARD AFR, and Chitosan, to achieve antibacterial, fluid repellent, high strength, comfortable and durable effects. In this investigation, one untreated control sample and fifteen treated samples, three replicates for each finish combination, were examined. The following standardized test procedures were used to evaluate the treated cotton fabric: AATCC 147 (qualitative zone of inhibition test) for antibacterial activity, ISO 22958:2005 (water resistance to penetration through impact) for fluid repellency, ASTM D737-96 for air permeability, ISO 13934-2 (constant rate of extension method) for tensile strength, and the cup method for moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) to determine breathability. Chitosan-treated samples exhibited improved breathability and moisture management due to their hydrophilic nature, whereas repellent-treated samples showed reduced vapor transmission, where the OMMC value was ‘0’ because of pore blockage within the fabric structure. Air permeability and tensile strength tests demonstrated that the applied finishes maintained acceptable comfort and mechanical properties of the cotton fabric. Among all formulations, the chitosan (2 g/L) and RUCO-GUARD AFR (30 g/L) combination showed the best performance across all evaluated parameters, with acceptable antibacterial activity, sufficient fluid repellency, adequate air permeability, and maintained tensile strength. Hence, Chitosan and RUCO-GUARD AFR (repellent) treated cotton fabric exhibited superior antimicrobial activity along with sufficient repellency, better tensile strength, air permeability, and MVTR as compared to the fabric treated with RUCO-BACMED (antibacterial) in combination with RUCO-GUARD AFR (repellent). Basically, chitosan is a natural eco-friendly substance and does not cause any degradation in the environment while the other finishes were fluorine based, which is carcinogenic and toxic in nature, causing various harmful diseases. So, chitosan is the preferred material to utilize in the manufacturing of surgical gowns. The developed fabric can be effectively utilized in eco-friendly surgical gowns to provide protection, hygiene, and comfort for healthcare professionals.

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