Antibacterial Activity of Polyethylene Nonwoven Wipes Treated With Essential Oils

This study investigates the antibacterial activity of polyethylene nonwoven wipes treated with 13 types of commercially natural essential oils in Vietnam. The mechanical properties of 11 types of polyethylene nonwoven fabrics were examined to find a suitable material for antibacterial treatments. The findings of the inhibition zone on antibacterial treated samples against Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria by the disk diffusion method indicated that essential oils from rosemary, clove, lilium, champak, Cinnamomum, melaleuca, and basil could completely inhibit both E. coli and S. aureus. The naturally treated products presented the highest antibacterial activities at 1%, 5%, and 7% of Cinnamomum, basil and clove essential oils, respectively. The antibacterial effects of Cinnamomum, basil, and clove on nonwoven fabrics increased with the liquid content, and the padding pressure should be adjusted to lower than 1.8 bar. Also, the survey results for skin allergy and fragrant feeling demonstrated that wipes treated with basil showed the most positive evaluations.