Enhancing antibacterial properties of organic cotton fabric using mahogany wood waste

Abstract

The use of plant-based natural agents for textile applications has received increased attention in recent years due to the negative environmental impacts of synthetic agents. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of organic cotton fabric (OCF) treated with mahogany wood waste powder. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of mahogany wood waste powder as a natural, plant-based antibacterial agent for use in textile applications. The treated OCF was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar disc diffusion method. The results showed that the treated fabric exhibited a significant antibacterial effect, with an average zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 9.02 ± 0.78 mm against E. coli and 10.32 ± 0.42 mm against S. aureus before washing. The antibacterial activity decreased with repeated washing, but the treated fabric still showed some level of activity even after ten washes. The findings suggested that mahogany wood waste powder has potential as a natural, plant-based antibacterial agent for use in textile applications. Overall, as a sustainable substitute for synthetic antibacterial agents in the textile sector, the use of mahogany wood waste powder in this study represents a viable starting point for further research.