Inclusion of antibacterial agent thymol on β-cyclodextrin-grafted organic cotton

Antibacterial textiles with improved efficacy and durability were produced by incorporation of the monoterpene thymol into β-cyclodextrin-grafted organic cotton. Grafting of β-cyclodextrin on fabric was done with citric acid as crosslinker in the presence of sodium hypophosphite by fixing at 150°C for 10 min. UV-Visible and FTIR spectral studies of β-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin-grafted fabric, ungrafted fabric, thymol, and thymol-loaded fabric confirmed the inclusion of thymol on grafted fabric. Thymol was recovered from ungrafted and grafted fabric by extraction with ethanol and it was quantified by performing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and its level was remarkably higher in grafted fabric. Thymol-loaded ungrafted and grafted fabrics were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by agar diffusion method and inhibition was more pronounced in E. coli. Inclusion of antibacterial agent into grafted fabric showed enhanced inhibition effect with durability after 10 cycles of washing, while it was not retained in ungrafted fabric. Grafting of cyclodextrin on fabric and inclusion of thymol into their cavity produced a durable antibacterial textile.