Combined antimicrobial and coolant finishing treatment for cotton using yashtimadhu ( Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) roots extract

摘要

The yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) root extract was used to impart antimicrobial and coolant finishing to the cotton fabric. The extraction was done by direct extraction method using distilled water as a solvent and it was applied on to the cotton fabric by pad–dry–cure process with the optimized process conditions of Temperature -37°C, Time–4 h, pH – 7 and Concentration-50%. The fifty percent concentration of yashtimadhu root extract finished fabric showed a better zone of inhibition against Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The thermal resistance test results indicated that the extract finished fabric expressed lower thermal resistance value with high coolant property compared to unfinished fabric sample. The O-H and C-C functional groups present in the herbal extract also proved the characteristics of higher absorbency and thermal property by FTIR, Wetting and Wicking tests. The 50% concentration of yashtimadhu extract finished fabric exhibited better thermal resistance and antimicrobial activity and the fabric retained the finishes after 15 wash cycles.