Antibacterial textiles and application fields

Which fibers have antibacterial properties? What about the antibacterial effect? Next, let’s get to know several fibers with antibacterial properties.

At present, antibacterial fibers are mainly divided into natural antibacterial fibers and artificial antibacterial fibers:

Natural antibacterial fiberYes Refers to fibers that have a bacteriostatic or bactericidal functional effect due to the structure of the fiber itself or the chemical substances it contains.

Artificial antibacterial fiberYes It refers to fibers in which antibacterial agents are added to the interior or surface of the fiber through spinning or finishing, and the antibacterial agents play a sterilizing role during the release process.

Kapok fiber is a natural fiber with a large hollow structure that is closed at both ends. The hollow rate generally reaches more than 84.6%. Tests have shown that kapok fiber has an obvious bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria), but has no obvious bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria). It has an obvious repellent effect on mites. The mite rate reached 87.54%. Antibacterial tests were conducted on kapok blended towel fabric and it was found that the fabric did not have antibacterial effect.

Antibacterial mechanism: The outer wall of the kapok fiber contains a natural, bitter substance; both ends of the kapok are closed, which is not conducive to the survival of anaerobic harmful bacteria; the antibacterial substance on the outer wall falls off during post-processing and wear, weakening the antibacterial effect.

Chitosan fiber is a fiber obtained by removing the acetyl group of chitin after heating in a concentrated alkali solution. It has good affinity for proteins and is non-toxic. It also has good antibacterial effects on various bacteria and fungi. Commonly used in medical dressings, such as hemostatic cotton, gauze, etc.

Antibacterial mechanism: Chitosan has direct damage to cells or extracellular interference; chitosan can enter cells and interact with intracellular proteins and nucleic acids to inhibit bacterial growth and interfere with normal cell metabolism.

Hemp fibers with antibacterial properties include hemp, flax, and apocynum. Tests have shown that apocynum fiber has good antibacterial properties with an inhibitory rate of 40% to 60% against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. However, the antibacterial ability of regenerated hemp fiber is limited, and it has selective antibacterial effects on different bacterial species and needs to work over a long period of time.

Antibacterial mechanism of hemp fiber: Hemp fiber contains cannabinoids, which has antibacterial properties; hemp is a hollow fiber and is rich in oxygen, making it difficult for anaerobic bacteria to survive, similar to kapok fiber.

Bamboo fiber is a cellulose fiber extracted from naturally growing bamboo. It has long-lasting and efficient natural antibacterial and bactericidal effects. Bamboo pulp fiber is a regenerated cellulose fiber that has a certain antibacterial effect. The antibacterial rate against Staphylococcus aureus reaches more than 70%, but it has no effect on Candida albicans.

Antibacterial principle: Bamboo raw fiber contains anthraquinone antibacterial compounds containing α-position phenolic hydroxyl groups and β-position phenolic hydroxyl groups.

The antibacterial properties of nanosilver antibacterial fibers rely on the continuous release of nanosilver particles. The common synthesis methods of antibacterial fabrics are addition and post-processing. The addition method is to add nano-silver inside the fiber, and its antibacterial effect is resistant to washing and long-lasting. Some researchers also add silver ions to the inner wall of the hollow fiber. However, due to the special structure of the hollow fiber, when released, the silver ions only It can be released from the head and tail ports of the fiber, and its antibacterial effect is limited; the fiber produced by the post-processing method is not resistant to washing, and its antibacterial properties gradually weaken with the increase of the number of washings and use time. It is not suitable for industrial use and consumption and belongs to one-time use. Antibacterial products.

Antibacterial mechanism: Most scholars believe that due to the extremely large surface of ultrafine silver, ionization will occur in water or aqueous media, but the ionized silver ions combine with some components of bacteria or proteins in plasma, or react with chloride ions to form precipitation, the antibacterial ability will decrease. Nanosilver has broad-spectrum efficacy and strong permeability, and can promote wound healing and reduce scar formation. However, nanosilver has biological safety issues.

Organic antibacterial agent antibacterial fiber is an antibacterial fiber obtained by adding a trace amount of organic antibacterial agent to the fiber without changing the basic properties of the fiber. The research on organic antibacterial agents in foreign countries is relatively mature, with the advantages of fast and strong sterilization, low price, etc., represented by quaternary ammonium salts, organic metals, etc.

Antibacterial mechanism: Mainly due to the combination of antibacterial agents with anions on the surface of bacterial cell membranes, destroying the normal operating system of the cell membrane, thereby achieving antibacterial and bacteriostatic effects. However, organic antibacterial agents have problems such as toxicity, poor heat resistance, and easy development of microbial resistance.