Nisha Arya, Lalita Rani, Kamla Malik, Sushila Hooda, Arpita Grover and Neeta
Abstract
The study explores the potential of natural plant extracts as antimicrobial agents for textile applications, addressing the increasing demand for hygienic textiles amidst growing awareness of microbial risks. By evaluating the antimicrobial activity of five plant extracts - giloy, amaltas, neem, arjun, and lemon, against various pathogenic microbes, the research identifies r as exhibiting the highest antimicrobial efficacy across Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, unicellular fungi, and filamentous fungi. These findings pave the way for the development of environmentally friendly antimicrobial finishes for textiles, essential for mitigating microbial contamination, odour formation, and product deterioration. Antimicrobial assessment reveals that neem showed maximum zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa (9.00, 12.00 and 16.50 mm), S. aureus (11.30, 13.00 and 15.30 mm), Candida (0.75, 1.20 and 1.30 mm) and A. Awamori (0.75, 1.3 and 0.4 mm) at 10, 15 and 20 mg/ml respectively. Hence, neem was selected as potential source exhibiting maximum antimicrobial properties for further application on cotton fabric in order to impart antimicrobial herbal finish for development of healthcare hygiene textile products. The investigation underscores the significance of natural bioactive agents in producing safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly textile products, aligning with the growing demand for health and hygiene-conscious consumer choices.