136
S. Riaz and M. Ashraf
PCMs and effect of plasma surface modification on adhesion of microcapsules on
wool fabric was investigated [31]. Research is done on the encapsulation of various
essential oils in chitosan and their application on cotton fabric. It was found that
by application of such capsules on desized, bleached and mercerized cotton fabric
by using pad-dry-cure method enhanced antimicrobial activity of treated fabric. A
modified dihydroxy ethylene urea was used as a cross-linking agent. Antimicrobial
activity was increased as the concentration of essential oil and chitosan increased
[32].
5.4 Crosslinking Method
The chemical bonding between polymeric chains and applied finish is mostly happened by using cross linker for durable functionality. Therefore, different physical,
chemical and irradiation techniques have been used [33, 34]. In case of chemical cross-linkers, the introduction of chemical bridges is done between polymeric
chains. For irradiation cross linkers no heat and other catalyst is needed, but, for
physical crosslinking which is environmental friendly process the durability is less
because ionic bond is established between polymeric chains with efficient antibacterial activity and good thermal properties [35, 36]. The physical crosslinking method
is most widely used method in which herbal extract or oil is applied on textile by
conventional pad-dry-cure method and by using cross linker in presence of some
catalyst [37]. Many researchers applied Neem extract and Aloe vera extract by using
1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and citric acid (CA) cross linker to make
the textile antimicrobial with enhanced durability [38–40] against Gram-positive and
Gram-negative bacteria also some fungi.
6 Assessment of Antibacterial Activity
To evaluate the antibacterial activity of treated textiles, various different standards
have been developed. Mainly inhibition zone method also known as qualitative
method and bacterial colonies counting method also known as quantitative method
have adopted depending upon the leaching and non-leaning antibacterial agents
applied on textile. Qualitative test methods 147 (Fig. 4b) include: AATCC 147,
JIS L 1902-Halo method, ISO/DIS 20645 and EN ISO 20645 in which antimicrobial testing has been carried out based on agar diffusion plate method. AATCC and
JIS L 1902-Halo methods are effective for both non-leaching and leaching textiles
while ISO/DIS 20645 and EN ISO 20645 are effective for only leaching or diffusible
antibacterial agents. On the other hand, quantitative test methods (Fig. 4a) include
AATCC 100 and JIS L 1902-Absorption method), the amount of antibacterial agent
applied on textile is more accountable for JIS L 1902 test method rather than AATCC
147 [41]. To perform this testing special training, attention, and careful study of test
S. Riaz and M. Ashraf
PCMs and effect of plasma surface modification on adhesion of microcapsules on
wool fabric was investigated [31]. Research is done on the encapsulation of various
essential oils in chitosan and their application on cotton fabric. It was found that
by application of such capsules on desized, bleached and mercerized cotton fabric
by using pad-dry-cure method enhanced antimicrobial activity of treated fabric. A
modified dihydroxy ethylene urea was used as a cross-linking agent. Antimicrobial
activity was increased as the concentration of essential oil and chitosan increased
[32].
5.4 Crosslinking Method
The chemical bonding between polymeric chains and applied finish is mostly happened by using cross linker for durable functionality. Therefore, different physical,
chemical and irradiation techniques have been used [33, 34]. In case of chemical cross-linkers, the introduction of chemical bridges is done between polymeric
chains. For irradiation cross linkers no heat and other catalyst is needed, but, for
physical crosslinking which is environmental friendly process the durability is less
because ionic bond is established between polymeric chains with efficient antibacterial activity and good thermal properties [35, 36]. The physical crosslinking method
is most widely used method in which herbal extract or oil is applied on textile by
conventional pad-dry-cure method and by using cross linker in presence of some
catalyst [37]. Many researchers applied Neem extract and Aloe vera extract by using
1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and citric acid (CA) cross linker to make
the textile antimicrobial with enhanced durability [38–40] against Gram-positive and
Gram-negative bacteria also some fungi.
6 Assessment of Antibacterial Activity
To evaluate the antibacterial activity of treated textiles, various different standards
have been developed. Mainly inhibition zone method also known as qualitative
method and bacterial colonies counting method also known as quantitative method
have adopted depending upon the leaching and non-leaning antibacterial agents
applied on textile. Qualitative test methods 147 (Fig. 4b) include: AATCC 147,
JIS L 1902-Halo method, ISO/DIS 20645 and EN ISO 20645 in which antimicrobial testing has been carried out based on agar diffusion plate method. AATCC and
JIS L 1902-Halo methods are effective for both non-leaching and leaching textiles
while ISO/DIS 20645 and EN ISO 20645 are effective for only leaching or diffusible
antibacterial agents. On the other hand, quantitative test methods (Fig. 4a) include
AATCC 100 and JIS L 1902-Absorption method), the amount of antibacterial agent
applied on textile is more accountable for JIS L 1902 test method rather than AATCC
147 [41]. To perform this testing special training, attention, and careful study of test