What are the plants with antibacterial properties? What is the antibacterial mechanism?

Natural antibacterial agents that belong to plants include juniper, mugwort, aloe, etc. There are many domestic studies on the dyeing of plant dyes in textiles and the application of synthetic antibacterial agents on fabrics. Researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Suzhou University and other units are working on natural dyes such as rhubarb, licorice, and skullcap. , coptis, gardenia, lithospermum, turmeric, catechu, mulberry, hematoxylin and other dyeing research. Its plant species are mainly divided into the following categories.

Hinoki tar
Juniper oil can be distilled from cypress. It is a light yellow oil and consists of two components, namely, the neutral oil of sesquiterpene compounds as the essence of flavor and the phenolic acidic oil with antibacterial activity. Acidic oil contains hinokitiol (or hinokitiol), and the main component of neutral oil is axoprene. The antibacterial mechanism of cypress oil is that there are two oxygen atoms available for coordination and complexation in the molecular structure, which interact with proteins in microorganisms to denature them. It has a wide range of antibacterial properties, especially has a strong killing effect on fungi. Its acute toxicity LD50[1] is 1500 mg/Kg (orally administered to mice), and its skin irritation is quasi-negative.

Mugwort
Mugwort is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. It is a traditional custom in my country to hang mugwort during the Dragon Boat Festival to repel insects and prevent diseases. The smell of mugwort has a calming effect that stabilizes your mood and relaxes your body and mind. The main components of mugwort include 1,8-aminodenephrine, a-sulfone, acetylcholine, choline, etc. They have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and promoting blood circulation effects.

Aloe
Aloe is a plant in the Liliaceae family, with more than 300 species. It can be roughly divided into two types: medicinal and ornamental, such as sunflower aloe, shale aloe and acupuncture aloe. Aloe vera, which has medicinal properties, has been used in medicine, cosmetics and health food. The medicinal ingredients of aloe mainly include polysaccharides and phenolic ingredients. Aloin, which plays a major role, has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. In recent years, aloe vera extract has just begun to be used on fabrics as an antibacterial agent.

Licorice
Licorice is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Leguminosae family, mainly produced in China and Afghanistan. It is often used as a crude drug in traditional Chinese medicine and is a medicinal herb that has long been recognized by people. The main component of licorice is sweet glycyrrhizin, which is 150 times sweeter than sucrose. After acidolysis, it generates glycyrrhetinic acid, glucuronic acid and flavonoid glycosides. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-mutative, anti-ulcer and detoxifying effects. It has low toxicity and is safe for human body.

Wild vegetables
Amaranth, commonly known as Houttuynia cordata, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Poraceae. The medicinal ingredients in the leaves and stems of amaranth mainly contain decanoyl acetaldehyde and methyl nonyl ketone lauric acid. It has strong antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and linear bacteria. Because of its high safety, it is used as a fabric health care and comfort processing agent.

Tea
Tea contains a variety of chemical components, mainly polyphenolic compounds, alkaloids (caffeine), catechins, etc. Studies have shown that catechins have inhibitory effects on microorganisms such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It also inhibits the activity of tyrosine decarboxylase. In addition, it has many medicinal functions such as antiviral, fungicidal, detoxifying and anticancer.

Pomegranate peel
Pomegranate is a deciduous shrub of the Pomegranate family, native to Iran. The peel can be used as medicine. Its extract can inhibit collagenase activity and can be used to develop ecological antibacterial fabrics with high consumer performance. Its pigment components can be used as direct dyes for cotton fabrics and Antibacterial finishing. Experimental results from Japan’s Metropolitan Hygiene Research Institute show that when the dyeing concentration is above 50% (based on fabric weight), pomegranate dyeing has antibacterial power and durability that meets the evaluation standards of the Sanitary Processing Association. In addition, the dye fastness complies with the JIS bath towel dye fastness standards. Therefore, Japan is developing pomegranate as an ecological antibacterial finishing agent that does not pollute the environment.

Many other plants have certain antibacterial properties, such as skullcap, coptis, phellodendron, hematoxylin, madder, chrysanthemum, comfrey, mustard extract, pepper, garlic, etc. We need to dig more and study them.

Extended reading

It is reported that FiberBio has done a lot of research on natural antibacterial multi-functional series, such as pyrethrum and capsaicin (pepper seeds) extracts with bactericidal effects, which are given to bedding through soaking (padding) and baking processing methods. , pillows, blankets, mattresses and other home textile products have antibacterial, deodorizing and anti-mite effects.

The raw materials extracted from plants are environmentally friendly substances that are harmless to the human body; suitable for bedding, pillows, blankets, mattresses, carpets, etc.; a skin-friendly environment composed of original ecological materials creates a healthy life!

Note: Provide natural antibacterial multi-functional series of products!