Antibacterial properties of wool fabrics treated with 8-hydroxyquinoline and boron compounds

Abstract

In this study, antibacterial properties of wool fabrics treated with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) and boron compounds were investigated against E. coil, B. subtilis, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Experimental group consisted of wool fabrics treated with 8HQ, boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) at 10 g/L concentration for each using the exhaust process. Control group consisted of untreated and silver nitrate treated wool fabrics. Treatments were performed using meta- and premordanting methods and homogenous distribution of treatment chemicals were confirmed with SEM and EDX images. Wool samples treated with a solution containing 8HQ+BX (10 g/L each) and 8HQ+BA+BX (10 g/L each) showed the highest level of antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity decreased analogous with the decrease in 8HQ concentration however it was still present at the lowest concentration of 1 g/L for E. coli, B. subtilis and S. aureus. But at least 5g/L concentration of 8HQ was required for antibacterial activity against all four tested bacteria. Antibacterial properties decreased after 5 cycles of washing but did not completely disappear. These antibacterial wool products look promising for the medical fields because of their strong effects against bacteria which grow in wounds and cause nosocomial infections. In addition, using the meta-mordanting method was more effective in terms of saving energy water and time compared to the premordanting method.