Antibacterial Activity

Improvement on Antibacterial activity and UV resistance of punica granutum L coated cotton fabric and Oxygen plasma pre-treatment
Plasma pretreated and natural dye coated cotton fabric to enhance the antibacterial activity and UV resistance
A.Suganya1, G.Shanmugavelayutham1*,S. Shanmuga pramu2 and G.Preethi2
1Plasma Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Bharathair University, Coimbatore-641046, Tamilnadu, India
2Biopharmaceuticals laboratory, Department of microbial biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
Abstract
The present paper deals with an investigation on the antibacterial activity and UV protection of DC glow discharge oxygen plasma and Punica granutum.L (pomegranate rind extract) treated cotton fabric. The reactive

It offers numerous advantages over the conventional chemical processes. Plasma surface modification does not require the use of water and chemicals, resulting in a more economical and ecological process. The enormous advantage of plasma processes concerns the drastic reduction in pollutants and a corresponding cost reduction for effluent treatment, so it can be considered as an environmentally benign technology [4]. In addition, it is a versatile technique, where a large variety of chemically active functional groups can be incorporated into the textile surface. The possible aims of this are improved wettability, adhesion of coatings, printability, dye ability induced hydro- and/or oleophobic properties, changing physical and/or electrical properties, cleaning or disinfection of fibre surfaces etc

The discharge chamber was first thoroughly cleaned by acetone. Initially the chamber was evacuated to a pressure of 10-3 mbar using a vacuum pump (EDWARDS: E2M5). Through a gas inlet, the Oxygen gas was supplied to the plasma chamber (gas flow controllers) and low pressure was maintained which is measured by a pirani gauge. Electrodes were made of copper plate were separated by a distance of 5 cm. A DC potential 300 V was applied between the two electrodes and adjusted until stable glow discharge plasma was generated, then cotton fabric (5x5) cm was treated with Oxygen environment. Figure 1 shows the photographic image of Oxygen plasma produced under low pressure. The exposure time of the sample was varied from 0 min to 8 min respectively. After the plasma treatment the cotton fabrics subsequently immersed into punica granatum.L extraction. The ethanolic extract of Punica granatum.L rind prepared as an antimicrobial finish for the cotton fabric was applied onto the fabrics using dip coating method. The fabric samples were immersed in the extract with a material to liquid ratio of 1:20 for 10 min. After padding, the fabrics were air-dried and then cured at 800C for 5