MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Antimicrobial Activity and Barrier Properties against UV Radiation of Alkaline and Enzymatically Treated Linen Woven Fabrics Coated with Inorganic Hybrid Material

Summary

Scientists treated linen fabric with an enzyme from a fungus called Cerrena unicolor combined with copper and silica particles to create advanced protective textiles. The resulting fabrics provide excellent protection against harmful UV radiation and kill dangerous bacteria and fungi like E. coli, Staph, and Candida. This eco-friendly approach could be used for protective clothing, outdoor gear, and medical textiles requiring both UV and microbial resistance.

Background

The textile industry seeks new technologies for producing multifunctional products that protect humans against harmful environmental factors including microorganisms and UV radiation. Natural cellulose fiber materials require appropriate pretreatment to improve sorption properties and adhesion before further technological processes.

Objective

To develop linen fabrics with antimicrobial activity and UV protection properties through a combination of bio-pretreatment using laccase from Cerrena unicolor and modification with CuO-SiO2 hybrid oxide microparticles.

Results

Enzymatically treated fabrics combined with CuO-SiO2 coating achieved UPF values of 99-131 (exceeding the protective threshold of 40) and transmittance below 2% in UVA/UVB ranges. Modified fabrics demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity with activity coefficients of 4.5-6.3 against E. coli, 3-4 against S. aureus, and >5.3 against C. albicans, with bactericidal properties.

Conclusion

The combined two-step modification process produced innovative textile materials with excellent UV protection (UPF ≥ 40) and strong antimicrobial activity. These materials are suitable for protective clothing and outdoor textiles requiring both UV and microbial resistance, with enzymatic treatment offering advantages in environmental sustainability and energy efficiency compared to alkaline treatment.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/molecules25235701, PMID: 33287209
Scroll to Top