Application of Prickly Chaff ( Achyranthes aspera Linn.) leaves as herbal antimicrobial finish for cotton fabric used in healthcare textiles

Abstract

Prickly chaff (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) leaves are reported to have antimicrobial properties. An innovative approach was made to utilize this eco-friendly and renewable source for production of microbial resistant fabric. The chemical nature of the leaf extract was determined using HPLC and extraction of active substance from the leaves was done using methanol. The method of application of this herbal extract on cotton fabric using citric acid as cross-linking agent and the process variables have been standardized using Box and Behnken three level three variable experimental design. The antimicrobial activity of the finished fabric based on optimized process parameters was assessed against bacteria that normally exist in the textile environment like Gram positive, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Gram negative, Escherichia coli (ATCC 11230) by both quantitative method (AATCC 100) and qualitative methods like Parallel Streak (AATCC 147) and Agar Diffusion method (SN 195 920). The finished cotton fabrics showed the bacterial reduction percentage of 92 and 50 against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively.