Copper Oxide Impregnated Textiles with Potent Biocidal Activities

TLDR

Copper‑impregnated cotton and polyester fibers exhibit broad‑spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimite activity. The study aims to demonstrate that copper‑impregnated textiles can prevent and treat infections such as athlete’s foot and reduce bacterial colonization without adverse skin reactions. The technology incorporates copper oxide‑treated fibers into existing textile manufacturing processes to produce a wide range of durable, biocidal fabrics. Copper‑impregnated fabrics retain permanent biocidal activity even after harsh washing, effectively alleviate athlete’s foot, reduce bacterial colonization in clinical settings, and show no skin sensitization or adverse effects, underscoring their broad preventive and curative potential.

Abstract

Impregnation or coating of cotton and polyester fibers with cationic copper endows them with potent broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimite properties (Borkow, G. and Gabbay, J. (2004). Putting Copper into Action: Copper-impregnated Products with Potent Biocidal Activities, FASEB Jounal, 18(14): 1728-1730). This durable platform technology enables the mass production of woven and non-woven fabrics, such as sheets, pillow covers, gowns, socks, air filters, mattress covers, carpets, etc. without the need of altering any industrial procedures or machinery, but only the introduction of copper oxide-treated fibers. The biocidal properties of fabrics containing 3-10% copper-impregnated fibers are permanent, are not affected by extreme washing conditions, and do not interfere with the manipulation of the final products (e.g., color, press, etc.). In this article, the authors describe data showing that (i) antifungal socks containing 10% w/w (weight/weight) copper-impregnated fibers alleviate athlete’s foot; (ii) antimicrobial fabrics (sheets) containing 10% (w/w) copper-impregnated fibers decrease bacterial colonization in a clinical setting; and (iii) these products do not have skin-sensitizing properties or any other adverse effects. Taken together, these results demonstrate the wide preventive and curative potential of copper oxide-impregnated apparel products.