Chitosans for Permanent Antimicrobial Finish on Textiles

Surface chemistry and structure determines most uses of textiles (adhesion, skin contact, handle ...) whereas the fibre core has to give strength. Thus, new strategies have to be developed for imparting permanent functionality to textile surfaces. This aim can be reached by using e.g. biocompatible polymers like carrageenans, chitosans from the carbohydrate family or some of their derivatives for permanent finish. Chitosan: film forming, polyelectrolyte, antibacterial effects, Anchoring of biopolymers like chitosan(s) follows the chemical strategy of introducing anchoring chemicals like cyanuric chloride or hydroxydichlorotriazine. Following fields for application of biopolymer treated textiles may be seen: Bioactive fibres for medicine, Creation of textiles with improved properties for wound dressing, Textiles for sensitive skin (allergies, neurodermitis), Textiles with ion-binding capacities (i.e. for Ag-Ions), Polymers on textile surfaces with depot characteristics for Pharmaka. Results on the permanent fixation of chitosan on cotton surfaces and on synthetic fibres using different chemical bond formation are presented. The antimicrobial activity of those finished textiles has been determined using laser nephelometry and tetrazolium compounds against some selected bacteria and fungi