Application of Enriched Fraction of Seabuckthorn Leaf Extract as Antimicrobial Finish on Technical Textile

Flavonoid-rich fraction (FRF) from Seabuckthorn leaves extract was prepared by acid hydrolysis process. Total flavonoid content of Seabuckthorn leaves extract and FRF estimated as rutin equivalent was found to be 116.98±3.06 and 277.14 ± 6.78 mg/g of extract/FRF respectively. Its major constituents myrcetin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, were determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Aramid (NomexIIIA) fabric was treated with triethylene tetramine to increase the wicking height of the fabric for better uptake of FRF. Then, FRF was coated using citric acid as cross linking agent on to aramid fabric by pad-dry-cure method for improved wash durability. FRF coated fabric was characterised using universal attenuated total internal reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Effect of FRF coating on flammability property of coated fabric was estimated using flammability tester. There was no significant difference in the char length of the FRF coated fabric and control samples. Antimicrobial activity of the FRF coated fabric was assessed by both qualitative (agar diffusion method; AATCC 147-2001) and quantitative (percentage reduction test; (AATCC 100-2001) methods using test organisms. The zone of inhibition by agar diffusion method for E. coli and S. aureus was found to be 12.4 mm and 16.7 mm, respectively. Quantitative assessment by percentage reduction test showed a reduction percentage of 96.00 per cent and 93.00 per cent for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The results of the above study indicate FRF as a valuable ingredient for the development of antimicrobial textiles.