Beti Rogina-Car

Propolis – Eco-friendly natural antibacterial finish for nonwoven fabrics for medical application

The aim of this study was to develop biodegradable medical nonwoven fabrics with added value, focusing on environmentally friendly natural substances for use in wound care. Propolis, a natural antibiotic, with confirmed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action was used. It was used in two formulations: ethanol extract of propolis and powder of native propolis. In order to obtain an environmentally friendly product, no chemical binder was used. Three modified procedures of applying propolis by immersing and scattering were used. Antimicrobial effect of the performed treatment was tested according to standard EN ISO 20645:2004 on three types of bacteria: Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229) and Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC4352). In this study, the microbial barrier properties of textiles for two bacterial endospores were investigated, with the aim of determining the microorganism mechanical permeability of textile. Fourier-transform infrared–attenuated total reflection was used to investigate the structural changes of Tencel nonwoven fabrics/propolis samples. On the basis of the results it can be concluded that the application of bee products, in this case of propolis in both formulations, on Tencel nonwoven fabrics provides satisfactory antimicrobial effects and an effective microbial barrier. Obtained results show that treatments 1 and 3 provide better antibacterial properties, indicating the further development potential of these treatments. AATCC Test Method 79, Absorbency of Textiles, was used to test absorption. The results show an increase in the absorption time of finished samples. The absorption time of finished samples can be reduced if they are stacked in a layered structure.

Analysis of woven fabric at the place of the sewn seam

Abstract Key importance and the role of sewn seam in the woven fabric are presented. Fabric properties in the places joined with the sewn seam on which garment durability, applicability, appearance and quality depend are highlighted. Seam location is usually the weakest spot on the garment, especially when the great loads are present at these places. Mechanical properties of the sewn fabrics were investigated in different test conditions. The influence of the load on the sewn seam is analyzed in time intervals. Sample with seam have approximately 70% lower breaking properties (breaking force and elongation at break) than the sample without seam. By preloading the seam fabrics with 30%, 50% and 70% of elongation at break, for a 3-h period, the effect on mechanical properties were tested and the differences in pre-stretching intensity were observed. By conducting such test, it is expected that the fabric experience further degradation and that breaking properties further reduce, but the exact opposite occurred (breaking properties, by increasing the preload, increase even more), because of various material properties (structural fabric properties, raw material characteristics, seam characteristics).

Microbial barrier properties of healthcare professional uniforms

In this study, the microbial barrier properties of textiles for two bacterial endospores were investigated. The reusable hospital textiles (PET/cotton and Tencel®) most commonly recommended for the manufacture of healthcare professional uniforms were tested for microorganism permeability. The three-layer textile laminate PET/PU/PET, which meets the European standards for surgical drapes EN 13795, was used as the reference material in this study. The microbial barrier properties of PET/cotton, Tencel®, PET/PU/PET, and corresponding seams were tested after 1, 10, 20, 30 and 50 washing-and-sterilization cycles. Washing and sterilization were performed by hospital laundry services under strict and controlled conditions. The testing of dry textile materials was conducted under newly developed methods. The most resistant forms of microorganisms of apathogenic bacterial endospores of the Bacillus genus Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus were used for investigating the microbial barrier permeability of textiles. This research is the first to investigate the permeability of these microorganisms in dry conditions. Additionally, the microbial barrier properties of the seams of these textiles were investigated. Regression analyses were performed and the effects of the seams on microorganism permeability were determined. It can be concluded that the two most commonly used seam types for the manufacture of healthcare uniforms do not have a significant influence on microbial barrier efficacy; however, the seam type 1.01.05/504.504.301 is more suitable for the manufacture of healthcare professional uniforms.

Comfort and microbial barrier properties of garments worn next to the skin

Compared with viscose fibre, modal fibre is characterized by some advantageous properties such as higher dry and wet tenacities, higher wet modulus, lower water retention capacity and lower level of swelling. Impact of different knitted fabric structure made of cotton and 97 % CMD/3 % EL fibres on thermo-physiological comfort and microbial barrier properties were investigated. All knitted fabrics have very good physiological properties. The microbial barrier permeability of knitted fabric after extreme contamination with bacterial spores in dry state showed that double jersey offered more effective microbial barrier than the single jersey knitted fabrics respectively the greater thickness of double jersey knitted fabric provide more difficult barrier to bacterial spores to pass. In wet state all knitted fabrics have more effective microbial barrier which could be explained by cellulose fibres swelling. In wet state 97 % CMD/3 % EL single jersey knitted fabric have more effective microbial barrier then cotton double and single jersey knitted fabrics.

Physicochemical characterization of the multiuse medical textiles in surgery and as packaging material in medical sterilization

Abstract This work investigates changes in the physicochemical properties of dry multiuse medical textiles used in surgery and as packaging material in sterilization after 0, 1, 10, 20, 30, and 50 washing and sterilization cycles in real hospital conditions of the Clinical-Hospital Centre in Zagreb. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) was used to perform morphological characterization. Physicochemical characterization and the resulting changes in the medical textiles were monitored using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer. The change in the mass of the medical textiles as a results of temperature was determined by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Furthermore, structural characteristics based on the changes that resulted during the washing and sterilization processes are provided. The conclusion of the conducted research on the changes in the properties of multiuse medical textiles (Cotton/PES, Tencel®, and three-layer PES/PU/PES textile laminate) in real hospital conditions is that the medical textiles do manage to preserve properties after continuous use and it is safe to use them up to 50 washing and sterilization cycles.

TENCEL with a Microbial Barrier for Medical Bras

The goal of the research was to determine the properties of the microbial barrier TENCEL knitted fabrics intended for medical bras. The samples were tested according to a new method developed in the earlier research by the same authors. The most resistant forms of microorganisms of a pathogenic bacterial endospore of the Bacilllus genus were used to investigate microbial barrier permeability. Based on the samples tested and their characteristics, medical bra construction was developed with the aim of reducing irritation for the body part that underwent surgery. The data on the forms and measures were obtained using a 3D body scanner.