SPECIAL ARTICLE
Bio Active Textiles
1
Ms. Anshu Chauhan & 2Mr. Ashish Kumar
1
M.S. – Wuhan Textile University, China,
B Tech (TIT&S)
2
General Manager (Trident Limited, Ludhiana),
MBA (GJU), IIFT (Certification In Export Management),
B Tech (TIT&S)
E-mail : 1aanshu135151@gmail.com, 2ashish1350@gmail.com
1. Introduction
The scope and usefulness of bio-engineered
products are constantly increasing. Clothing is an ideal
medium to implant mobile bio-environments. Niche appli-
cations for bio-active fabrics exist in the medical and
defense industries – e.g. drug producing bandages or
protective clothing with highly sensitive cellular sensors
– but bio-fabrics may form the basis of a whole new
line of commercial products as well: fabrics that literally
eat odors with genetically engineered bacteria, self
cleaning fabrics and fabrics that continually regenerate
water and dust repellents.
Clothing is an obvious habitat for biological micro-
machines and is specifically designed to provide a
comfortable environment for living cells. These mate-
rials are generally bio-friendly (non-toxic to cells); and
sources of heat, moisture and even nutrients for cellular
micro-devices are all readily available from the human
body. There are many obvious applications that a
clothing based bioreactor might be able to accomplish.
The control of odors in clothes and shoes could be acco-
mplished by secretion of deodorizers of by the bacterial
digestion of odor producing proteins. Water repellent
coatings on jackets or shirts could be continually repleni-
shed by imbedded bacteria, or self-cleaning clothes
could be envisioned in which oil and protein digesting
bacteria act continuously.
Bio-active textiles have thus carved out a niche
for itself both in the market and on the research field.
2. Organic and Inorganic Additives
Biguadine, isothiazolinon, organo silicon ammo-
nium, permethrine, phenols, etc., are typically incorpo-
rated:
• At the finishing level (either at the yam, fabric or
garment levels) by exhaustion, Padding, coating or
foaming.
• Can be incorporated in the spinning solution with "wet"
spun fibres (e.g. PAN,CLF, AC, PP, etc.).
• Or with a spin finish (i.e. after the extrusion).
Organic substances are difficult to use with
synthetic fibres such as PES and PA due to their heat
resistance limitations. In this case inorganic agents,
such as zeolites or ceramic substrates containing
metallic ions (e.g. Cu, Ag or Zn) are currently mixed to
the melt polymer stream.
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3. Natural additives
Various antimicrobial textile materials are deve-
loped using a variety of active agents which include
synthetic antimicrobial agents such as triclosan, metal
and their salts, phenols, quaternary ammonium compo-
unds, and organometallics. Although synthetic antimi-
crobial agents effectively inhibit the growth of microbes,
most of them are toxic, can cause adverse effects on
human health, and have environmental issues. So
research is being done on natural additives. Natural
antimicrobial compounds derived from plants such as
neem, tea tree, azuki beans, aloe vera, tulsi leaves
(Ocimum sanctum), clove oil, pomegranate rind,
turmeric, eucalyptus oil, onion skin, and pulp extracts,
are being used in the finishing of textiles. Chitosan
derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the shells
of crustaceans and insects, in yeast cells or in fungi
walls and even in certain algae Bioneem, an oil seed of
the Indian neem tree, seaweed, etc.
4. Alternative Processes
Alternative processes to incorporate "Bio-active"
agents are the following through microencapsulation:
the process, which is at a trial stage, up to now only
provides limited washing resistance or by using the
grafting technology. Synthetic fibres could finally be
covered/coated with inorganic additives such as silver
and copper sulphide. The total market of "Bio-active"
textiles is split into two main categories:
Bio-active Finishes: textile products such as yams,
fabrics and garments that are treated with an (organic)
additive,
Bio-active Inherent fibres: Fibres, which are incor-
porated in the spinning solution or mixed to the melt
polymer stream.
5. Bioactive Textile Dressing Materials from Dibu-
tyrylchitin
Dibutyrylchitin (DBC) is an ester derivative of
natural polysaccharide – chitin. DBC is obtained by
reaction of chitin with butyric anhydride in the presence
of a catalyst. The production methods of DBC were
elaborated, optimized and DBC as raw material will be
soon available on the market. DBC is easily soluble in
common organic solvents and has film – and fibre
forming properties. Such characteristic allows obtaining
classical fibres from the polymer solutions. DBC is also
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a raw material for manufacturing yarn and for a broad functional silanes.
range of textile dressing materials. Fibres with good In the case of inorganic additives, such as zeolites
mechanical properties were obtained by an optimized with metal ions, the anti-bacterial mechanism involves
spinning process from the DBC solutions. the movement of the ions to the microorganism cell.
The excellent biomedical properties of the DBC The concentration of metal ions, which flow out, is,
were confirmed by different experimental results which nevertheless, very limited (in the order of ppm). One of
proved that DBC is a biocompatible and biodegradable the main advantages claimed for non-migrating additives
polymer and stimulates regeneration of damaged is that they avoid the possible risk of creating adaptive
tissues. Tests of these DBC dressing materials under micro-organism.
clinical conditions were done and proved the excellent 8. Antimicrobial Agent Based On Silver
results of DBC-based dressing materials for the ordered Antimicrobial agent based on silver is firmly
healing of tissues and wounds. The DBC dressing anchored in the fibre polymer. This additive exercises
materials accelerate the healing of the wound and are a permanent antimicrobial effect and is not affected by
biodegraded during the healing process. From the clinical either washing or usage. In the process it functions on
tests, it was clearly observed that the DBC dressing the surface of the fibre and does not migrate into the
materials were absorbed into the fresh tissue formed surrounding atmosphere. It has been shown that Trevira
during the healing process of the wounds. DBC and DBC- Bioactive causes no change to the skin flora and is
based dressing materials are good bioactive textile therefore compatible with the skin.
materials for wound healing and for understanding the
biological properties of chitin derivatives. The obtained
results proved the importance of the O-substitution of
the hydroxyl groups present in chitin, not only for the
solubility of the derivatives and the mechanical
properties of the produced fibres, but still more important
for the biological properties of these ester derivatives
of chitin containing butyricacid. This development
creates a link between textile products, based on
material properties, and human health, based on the
biological properties of the basic material.
6. “Bactericidal" versus "Bacteriostatic”
From the point of view of their activity, anti-bacterial
(or anti-fungal or anti dust mite) Substances could be When bacteria come into direct contact with the
split into two main categories: textile, they are damaged by the silver ions, which
Substances that kill or “significantly” reduce the prevents them multiplying.
population of bacteria called “bactericidal”.
Whereas substances that only suppress/reduce the
bacteria growth are called “bacteriostatic”. These
products should in principle not decrease the bacterial
level lower than that which is normally present on the
skin.
In practice it is difficult to separate pure “bacte-
ricidal” from “bacteriostatic”, as there is no universally
accepted definition of what constitutes "significant
reduction" in the bacterial colony. In addition these Silver Bio Active Fiber
activities very much depend on the particular strains of Another example of bioactive textiles is Neem-
micro-organisms involved, as well as on the actual shield, an innovative ecofriendly patented technology
concentration of the antibacterial used. for making antimicrobial textiles developed by the Textile
7. “Migrating” versus “Non-migrating” Additives Department, IIT Delhi.
A further distinction could be made between various
additives based on their main working mechanism:
Migrating (leaching) Additives : the additive
gradually migrates out from the fibre or the fabric to a
solvent external medium and comes in contact with
the micro-organisms. The majority of organic compo-
unds are of this type,
Non-migrating (non-leaching) Additives : the Untreated Treated with NeemShield
additive agent is bonded to the textile and does not (Reduced Bacterial Adherence on treated Cotton
dissolve out. This is the case, for example, for organo Fabrics As seen under Scanning Electron Microscope)
32 DECEMBER 2016
 Some benefits of Neemshield as given by IIT, Delhi
are easy application, non allergic and skin friendly, energy
saving, semi durable to washing, active against wide
range of bacteria.
9. Application areas :
Work wear sector :
• Work and protective wear
• Uniforms
Functional underwear and sportswear sector :
• Sport and fitness wear
• Outdoor wear
• Functional underwear
• Socks, hosiery
Home and contract textiles sector :
• Decorative textiles
• Upholstery fabrics
• Bedding textiles
Home Textiles :
• Bed linen
• Fill material for pillows and duvets
• Towels • Mattress covers
Other applications :
• Incontinence underlay's and underwear
• Cleaning textiles
• Bandages
• Slipcovers
• Support corsets and hosiery
• Inner linings and insoles for shoes
10. The Future Market for “Bio-Active” Textiles
“Bio-active” textiles belong to the so-called “Func-
tional” range of products, i.e. to textiles which, in addition
to their basic functions, claim to take care of the health
and hygiene of the consumer contributing to his/her well-
being.
Positive Elements : Main positive elements are
the following:
The consumer is expected to become more and more
aware of hygiene in everyday life so that “Bio-active”
textile are generally seen as a way to provide
additional direct benefits to the consumer.
“Bio-active” textiles provide the consumer with the
possibility to keep the product “fresh and clean” (as it
was when it was purchased) for a longer period of
time.
In the “healthcare” sector, the growing number of
people affected by allergies and the increasing
awareness of this potential danger for children
provides significant growth potential for “anti-dust
mite” products.
The necessity to prevent increasing costs as a result
of contamination in hospitals and clinics should lead
to a growing demand for “anti-bacterial” textiles. The
requirement of increased hygiene is also likely to
affect all activities which are related to the food/drink
processing industries and services and other sectors
requiring aseptic conditions.
The possibility to supply “Bio-active” textiles prov-
iding additional functions further increases the
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potential market.
Negative elements : The main element limiting the
potential growth of "Bio-active" textiles is the lack of
legislation providing guarantees and security in the
marketplace. It is expected that the Biocidal Products
Directive will provide a pan-European harmonization
allowing clarification of the situation. This should also
stimulate the market.
Other negative elements are the following :
The negative attitude of scientists and dermatology
specialists towards products which may affect the
equilibrium of germs resident on the skin.
The careful attitude of several large retailers and
international brands concerning the content of
chemical additives and generally the negative image
of "chemicals" additives, in particular in countries
such as Germany, UK and Scandinavia.
The confusion prevailing in the claims promoted by
suppliers, which is a direct consequence of the above-
mentioned lack of legislation.
The general fear that the growing usage of anti-
bacterial additives in an increasing number of goods,
including textiles, may have a negative impact on the
health of the consumer and on the environment in the
long term.
The continuing delocalization of the European textile
activity, so that an increasing share of "Bio-active"
products will be imported.
11. Requirements for “Bio-active” textiles :
Safety : The product should be safe for the consumer
and for the environment.
Durability : “Bio-active” properties should remain
effective during the (variable) life span of the product
Easy to apply : The product should be easy to use in
the whole textile pipeline.
In addition, the product should continue to satisfy
the typical textile qualities and requirement and should
be available at a competitive cost. The described
fabrics have numerous medical uses such as surgeon's
gowns, medical drapes, isolation gowns, instrument
wraps etc.
12. Conclusion
The total production of “Bio-active” textiles is expec-
ted to benefit from an annual compound growth rate of
12%, with anti-dustmite properties providing a slightly
higher potential growth. The number and effectiveness
of these lining devices is rapidly expanding. The fields
of applications of bio active textiles are expected to
increase and reach the common man in the near future.
13. References
1.National Textile Center Annual Report: November
2000.
2.www.trevira.de.
3.JTI, Volume 106, 2015, Issue 7, Pg 706-717.
4.D&K Consulting S.A. Annual Report 2007.
5.Textile Asia, Volume 32, Issue 7-32.
6.Bioactive polymeric systems: an overview By Charles
G. Gebelein, Charles E. Carraher.
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