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S. Riaz and M. Ashraf
antibacterial agents. Neem and Aloe vera could be a good combination of antibacterial agents to inhibit the growth of bacteria. A research work was reported in which
different concentrations of Neem and Aloe vera were used to coat the fabric separately. The hybrid combination was found very active against fungi and bacteria
compared to alone Aloe vera and Neem with moderate washing durability [141].
Along with antimicrobial activity the Neem extract could be used as natural
dye. Various green shades could be attained with the use of different mordant.
Polyurethane based fibers were dyed by Patel [142] and then K/S values were determined digitally. The dyed fabrics showed moderate to hood fastness to rubbing, light
and washing along with encouraging results of bacterial inhibition. Similar work is
presented by Inprasit et al. [143]. In which tannin-rich natural dye was extracted at
65 °C by Soxhlet method, from Neem tree bark and antibacterial agent from leaves
using organic solvent. The hemp fabric was dyed with this extracted dye giving high
color strength (K/S value) at high temperature and higher concentration for a longer
period of dyeing time. The reddish brown fabric reduced 99.9% of the S. aureus
bacteria with dye fastness to washing, water and perspiration. Patel and Pratibha
[144] found that the natural antimicrobial agents are better than hazardous synthetic
antibacterial agents. For this purpose natural dyes and antimicrobial agents extracted
from bioactive plants were used for finishing of textile for medical applications.
Herbal extract application made woven and nonwoven fabrics resistant against bacteria. Effect of organic and inorganic antibacterial agent was also compared by Rajput
et al. [145] for baby diapers. ZnO NPs, TiO 2 NPs, and Ag NPs were applied on baby
diapers and compared with the diapers coated with natural extracts of Turmeric,
Tulsi, Aloe vera and Neem. It was reported that the natural ingredients showed the
results of antimicrobial effects similar to inorganic agents showing the cost effective,
and human-friendly diapers.
7.3.3 Tulsi Leaves
Ocimum tenuiflorum belong to family Lamiaceae (mint family) is commonly known
as Tulsi or holy basil with aromatic leaves, which is known for its religious and medicinal importance. It contains many phytochemicals like, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid,
rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%), and the
essential oils of Tulsi contains eugenol (70%) β-elemene (~11.0%), β-caryophyllene
(~8%), 2-methoxy 4-(1-propyl) phenol (2.65%), 1,4-diethyl benzene (1.03%), germacrene (~2%), (2.01%) essential oil of Tulsi and vanillin (1.27%). Tulsi leaves and
essential oils have properties like insecticide, antiviral, expectorant, antiprotozoal,
antifungal and antibacterial. The antimicrobial activity of Tulsi is most prevalently
due to eugenol (Fig. 16a), and also due to alpha terpinol (Fig. 16b) and gamaterpine
(Fig. 16c) compounds presents in it.
Some physicians have been applying different plants after grinding and forming
their smooth paste to treat skin diseases. Cotton, bamboo and soybean fabrics have
been coated with different natural extracts such as lemon grass, Aloe vera, Tulsi,
kadukai, karpuravalli and vettukayathalai to make textile good antibacterial [146].
S. Riaz and M. Ashraf
antibacterial agents. Neem and Aloe vera could be a good combination of antibacterial agents to inhibit the growth of bacteria. A research work was reported in which
different concentrations of Neem and Aloe vera were used to coat the fabric separately. The hybrid combination was found very active against fungi and bacteria
compared to alone Aloe vera and Neem with moderate washing durability [141].
Along with antimicrobial activity the Neem extract could be used as natural
dye. Various green shades could be attained with the use of different mordant.
Polyurethane based fibers were dyed by Patel [142] and then K/S values were determined digitally. The dyed fabrics showed moderate to hood fastness to rubbing, light
and washing along with encouraging results of bacterial inhibition. Similar work is
presented by Inprasit et al. [143]. In which tannin-rich natural dye was extracted at
65 °C by Soxhlet method, from Neem tree bark and antibacterial agent from leaves
using organic solvent. The hemp fabric was dyed with this extracted dye giving high
color strength (K/S value) at high temperature and higher concentration for a longer
period of dyeing time. The reddish brown fabric reduced 99.9% of the S. aureus
bacteria with dye fastness to washing, water and perspiration. Patel and Pratibha
[144] found that the natural antimicrobial agents are better than hazardous synthetic
antibacterial agents. For this purpose natural dyes and antimicrobial agents extracted
from bioactive plants were used for finishing of textile for medical applications.
Herbal extract application made woven and nonwoven fabrics resistant against bacteria. Effect of organic and inorganic antibacterial agent was also compared by Rajput
et al. [145] for baby diapers. ZnO NPs, TiO 2 NPs, and Ag NPs were applied on baby
diapers and compared with the diapers coated with natural extracts of Turmeric,
Tulsi, Aloe vera and Neem. It was reported that the natural ingredients showed the
results of antimicrobial effects similar to inorganic agents showing the cost effective,
and human-friendly diapers.
7.3.3 Tulsi Leaves
Ocimum tenuiflorum belong to family Lamiaceae (mint family) is commonly known
as Tulsi or holy basil with aromatic leaves, which is known for its religious and medicinal importance. It contains many phytochemicals like, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid,
rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%), and the
essential oils of Tulsi contains eugenol (70%) β-elemene (~11.0%), β-caryophyllene
(~8%), 2-methoxy 4-(1-propyl) phenol (2.65%), 1,4-diethyl benzene (1.03%), germacrene (~2%), (2.01%) essential oil of Tulsi and vanillin (1.27%). Tulsi leaves and
essential oils have properties like insecticide, antiviral, expectorant, antiprotozoal,
antifungal and antibacterial. The antimicrobial activity of Tulsi is most prevalently
due to eugenol (Fig. 16a), and also due to alpha terpinol (Fig. 16b) and gamaterpine
(Fig. 16c) compounds presents in it.
Some physicians have been applying different plants after grinding and forming
their smooth paste to treat skin diseases. Cotton, bamboo and soybean fabrics have
been coated with different natural extracts such as lemon grass, Aloe vera, Tulsi,
kadukai, karpuravalli and vettukayathalai to make textile good antibacterial [146].