Research on antibacterial finishing process of chromolaena odorata extract on cotton fabric for ulcer prevention purpose

Abstract

Global healthcare is facing various topical challenges related to skin diseases due to aging populations and the dreadful aftermath of previous wars. In developing countries, the vast majority of people with special needs have been taken care of at charity shelters with limited caring conditions and thus faced various significant skin problems and ulcers. Therefore, there is a high demand for not only effective medical textiles but also accessible technology for wide applications. By taking advantage of Vietnamese local herb and available textile finishing technology, this study indicated an environment-friendly finishing process for cotton fabrics by developing the antibacterial function of Chromolaena odorata extract. It was effective in preventing ulcers for people who suffer from skin problems and ulcers. Substances from C. odorata leaves were extracted and applied to fabrics by utilizing exhaustion method. We investigated parameters related to extraction and finishing processes, including solvent concentration, solid/liquid ratio, drying temperature, washing durability, FT-IR analysis, and pH value. The investigation results showed that the finished fabrics reached a high antibacterial rate (approximately 88.24 % for S. aureus and 95.59 % for E. coli), and had a compatible pH value (5.2) with human skin. To sum up, the study was efficient and environmentally benign, making it a handy way to help the inadequate healthcare system at charity shelters and nursing homes.