Antibacterial and Mosquito repellency properties of Plasma treated cotton fabrics pre-treated with Vetiveria zizanioides and Phyllanthus niruri extracts

Antibacterial activity, mosquito repellency and comfort properties in plasma treated cotton fabric pre-treated with herbal extracts were selected as primary aim in the present study. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of Vetiveria zizanioidesand Phyllanthus niruri was analysed. FT-IR analysis was also investigated for the plant extracts to reveal the functional groups attributing to its biological properties. Antibacterial activity and mosquito repellency were studied using standard test methods. Comfort properties like air permeabilityand absorbency were determined using AATCC standards. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids and saponins. FT-IR analysis revealed the peaks attributed for the presence of functional groups like O-H (alcoholand phenol groups), C-H (Aliphatic group), CH2stretch (cellulose group). The SEM imagesof plasma untreated samples exhibited more protruding fibres on the surface of open wovenfabric. Antibacterial activity of plasma treated Vetiveria zizanioides finished fabric samples exhibitied inhibitory zones of 36 mm and 35mm and plasma treated fabric with extracts of Phyllanthus niruri showed inhibitory zones of 38mm and 36mm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Mosquito repellency of plasma treated fabric (Vetiveria zizanioides and Phyllanthus niruri) showed 72% and 76% repellency respectively; whereas plasma untreated fabric samples revealed only 56%. From the study it may be concluded that plasma treatment improves absorbency, drape and air-permeability. The treatment timing shall also be increased to improve the comfort and other physical mechanical properties of the fabrics. Hence, plasma treatment is a good substitute for chemical finishing as it causes no environmental pollution.