Application of Achillea millefolium as a Natural Antibacterial Agent in Finishing of Textile

Abstract

Hygienic products are very popular nowadays. Especially when consumers turn to textile products, they also consider the comfort features of the products. Among the comfort features, the fact that the products are antibacterial is the reason for preference. In this study, it was tried to give the antibacterial properties to woolen fabrics with the help of Achillea millefolium plant. This antibacterial feature will be achieved by dyeing woolen fabrics with the help of this plant. The Achillea millefolium plant was subjected to the extraction process before the dyeing experiments were started. In dyeing processes, the liquor ratio was adjusted as 1:40 and dyeing experiments were carried out with and without mordant. After dyeing experiments, dyed fabric samples were washed and dried at room temperature, it was made ready for various analyzes. Among these analyses, color measurement (CIE L*a*b* C* h^o (international commission on illumination) and K/S (color efficiency)), antibacterial effect tests and FTIR (fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy) analyses were performed. In addition, washing and rubbing fastness tests of dyed wool fabrics were carried out and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images were also taken. ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) analysis of the herbal source was also performed. As a result of the study, it was determined that woolen fabrics can be dyed with Achillea millefolium plant and these dyed fabrics have antibacterial activity against 2 different bacteria species (Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) vs Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922)). Especially in the dyeing experiment without using mordant, a very high value of 99.99% was achieved against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.