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Advances in combined antimicrobial easy-care finishing using Citric Acid

Combined antimicrobial and easy-care finishing of cotton has been imparted through the addition of Citric Acid (CA). This eco-friendly agent was used as possible substitution of the antimicrobial agents currently on the market, which proved to have negative influence on human health. Until now, CA has been used as an agent for easy-care (Durable Press) finishing and also as binder in flame retardant finishing of cellulose materials (textile, wood and paper) where it has shown excellent results. Antibacterial activity was tested against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and yeast Candida albicans according to ISO 20743:2005 standard. Antibacterial activity of cotton material treated with CA was compared to frequently used quaternary ammonium (Quat) agent. The results presented show that CA is equally good antimicrobial agent as Quat. By combining CA and Sodium hypophosphite monohydrate (SHP) catalyst good easy-care performance and improved strength retention was achieved. Optimal concentration of applied easy-care finishing agent, determined in previous work, has proved additional antibacterial effectiveness. Results from work presented show economical and environmental improvements have been obtained by the application of CA as a favourable agent, both for antimicrobial and easy-care finishing.

antimicrobial finishing; easy-care finishing; textiles; Citric Acid

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