23 Natural Finishing Agents

M. Saravanan

Introduction:

Regular natural sources can be utilized for antimicrobial purposes since; there is a huge wellspring of therapeutic plants with antimicrobial chemical propositions is viable in bringing out natural textile materials. Great requirement for antimicrobial materials in view of eco-friendly agents which not just lessen successfully the ill effects related because of microbial development on textile material yet in addition agree to statutory necessities forced by controlling organizations. In recent days there is passion towards natural based herbs as an antimicrobial agent. In spite of the fact that the utilization of antimicrobials has been known for the decades, it is just the current couple of years, continuous efforts have been made on finishing textile materials with antimicrobial compounds. The comprehensive focus on plant based dyes and other bioactive natural extract in textile coating as antimicrobial textile finish has gained significant momentum.. A few dyes acquired from plants display strong antimicrobial properties. In this manner, coating of antimicrobial plant natural dyes and bioactive plant extricate on to cotton textures is a developing innovation in the generation of medicinal value textile materials. Owing to the demands of global consumer the researches are being carried out for new eco friendly processes. Eco-finishes involve those substances that are gotten from plants and animals. They have many favourable circumstances, for example, non harmful, non irritant, biodegradable, economical, easy availability and so forth; Clothing and textile material are an exceptionally reasonable media for the growth of the micro organisms. They can act as the carriers of some micro organisms: for example, pathogenic microorganisms, smell producing bacteria and mould fungi. Microbial poses danger to both living and non living matters. In addition; in the present day world the vast majority of us are exceptionally cognizant about our hygiene and cleanliness.

Objective:

Module aims to discuss the following in detail for clear understanding and appreciate the importance of natural finishes for Textile materials.

1. Numerous descriptions about the natural finishing agents available for the textile surface and their benefits are discussed here in this module.

2.  Natural plants and types of plant available for unique benefit are discussed and these all can be applied on the fabric surface through conventional finishing process such as pad-dry-cure or other finishing techniques.

3. History about the cyclodextrin and chitosan, exceptional natural source among other plants and herbs are concentrated in-depth upon which these herbal finishing agents works on the fabric surface is also illustrated in the module.

Description on Module

Some plants extracts e.g. aloe vera, neem, tulsi leaf, amla, clove, tea-tree oil, eucalyptus oil, datura stramonium, pongamia pinata, lantona camara, colotropis procera, ban-ajwain, grapefruit seeds and coptis chinensis roots (berberine), natural honey from munaka and chestnut, sericin derived from silkworm, natural dyes and pigments derived from plants, insects, animals and minerals. These agents are rich chemically and contribute to controlling a variety of different diseases, infections and allergies. Aloe vera and neem plants are rich chemically and have traditional and pharmacological properties.

Health care is a serious business which is not only influenced by practiced medical professionals but also culture of other general public. It is a sector emphasises health, comfort and social interactions. It directly aids in disease prevention or disease isolation. With the increasing threat from new strains of bacteria and viruses and its related growing problems, Textile being vulnerable to microorganisms’ attack that would cause many cross infections and allergic reactions.

Herbal treatment to the textile material provides control over the pathogens development on them and improves the Health condition. Herbal textile products came into present commercial market, keeping in mind the safety aspects of healthy lifestyle and hygiene.

Clove belongs to a tree Eugenia caryophyllata (Syzygium aromaticum), is used as a spice in almost all the world’s fare. Bud Oil of Clove has natural behavior and the main properties include antioxidant, insecticidal, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It has a very major role in spice trade and is highly appreciated for their therapeutic properties.

Ginger is a member of the family zingiberaceae; a small family with more than 45 genera and 800 species. Its scientific name is Zingiber officinale. The plant with a wide range of beneficial actions on the human body, are found effective in the treatment of cataract, heart disease, migraines, struck amenorrhea, athletes foot, bursitis, chronic fatigue, cold, flu, coughs, depression, dizziness, fever, arectile difficulties, kidney stones, reynad’s disease and viral infection. Ginger has been historical proof to be used in treating inflammation.

Thespesia populnea is very popular as a medicinal plant as mentioned in the ancient text of ethnic medicine. The plant is well known for its antibacterial, antiviral, wound healing, anticancer, antisteroidogenic activity and for dermatitis. It has numerous pharmacological activities like Dermatitis, Anti-hepatoprotective activity, Anti-steroidogenic activity, Cytotoxicity and superoxide anion generation by some Naturally occurring quinines, Wound healing activity, Antioxidant activity, anti-implantation activity, Alzheimer’s disease, Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory, Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties, Antioxidant, Anti-diabetic activity, Anti-Psoriatic, Synergistic activity, Antibacterial Activity, antiulcer activity, Immunomodulatory Activity, α-Amylase Inhibitory.

Cyclodextrins: Structure of cyclodextrin: 9 Cone trunk structure with a cavity in its centre. 9 Inside of the cone hydrophobic. 9 Outside of the cone hydrophilic. ⇒ Cyclodextrin can retain hydrophobic molecules dispersed in aqueous solutions. Applications of cyclodextrin: ⇒ Pharmacology : used as recipient of formulation because the drugs are often hydrophobic. ⇒ Agro-food system : used to raise the taste of food. Introduction of flavored products inside the cavity. ⇒ Textiles : Introduction of antimicrobial, antiodour products and perfumes. ⇒ Cosmetic : Introduction of perfumes and cosmetics.

The cyclodextrin capacity to form inclusion complexes is known for a long time, this property being used in textile industry to obtain products with applications in increasing wear comfort and realization of medical textiles. Yet, there is always the possibility to find new applications of these complexes, either by their permanent fixation on textiles, or by making them environmentally friendly and increasing the performances of some processes from the textile industry or waste water treatment.

Flame retardant functionality on cellulosic textile using  spinach leaves juice (SJ) is another eco-friendly natural product.

Chitin and chitosan are widely distributed in animals and fungi and are the basic polysaccharides that are the major component of the shells of crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps and crayfish. Chitosan (CTS) is a polycationic carbohydrate polymer (depending on pH-value of aqueous solutions) derived from natural resources having interesting properties. Chitosan is processed from crabs or shrimp waste from chitin (a N-acetylglucosamine- polymer) by alkaline treatment and split off of acetyl groups. Other natural sources are insect and fungal cuticula but currently they are not used. Chitosan chemical structure resembles that of cellulosic components bearing amino groups at carbon 2 of the glucan ring. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan against different groups of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, has received considerable attention in recent years. Chitosan preparations with different sources gives a standing drawbacks though some of the antimicrobial tests performed up to now seem to be not conclusive due to the use of poorly characterized chitosan preparations or by the use of incorrect, non-physiological pH-values. It is an effective natural antimicrobial agent derived from chitin which is ample component in crustacean shells. Chitosan using coating technique upon conventional fibres appear to be the more practical prospect to avoid provokes on immunological response. Fibres made from Chitosan are also available in the market place. Chitosan has several properties such as biocompatibility, non-toxicity and ability to improve wound healing and therefore it is evaluated in a number of medical applications such as drug delivery systems, wound dressing and as a hypocholesterolemic agents. Chitosan citrate conveys higher wrinkle recovery and antimicrobial properties to fabric as compared to raw chitosan. Chitosan finish textile substrate provides better functionality to the fabric. Antimicrobial finish with chitosan leads wider advantages such as better absorbency properties, moisture response and better wound healing; in addition it gives non-allergenic, nontoxic and biodegradable properties.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) evergreen tree of India is one of the richest source of antimicrobial compound, also the methanolic extract gives of its leaves gives green colour. The leaves of neem yield glycerides of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The main fatty acids are oleic and stearic acids. Leaves mainly yield quercetin and nimbosterol as well as a number of lininoids. Quercetin is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial and antiviral properties. This may perhaps account for curative properties of leaves for sores and scabies. Medicinal effect derived from neem is effective against cough and breathing problem, skin diseases. Neem extracts also have more than 300 active compounds e.g. azaadirachtin, salannin and nimbin etc. which have diverse medicinal activities

Aloevera based finishes are skin care softening agents consisting of natural substances, safe for skin with excellent moisture retaining properties. It is an important ingredient in cosmetic, medical and skin care preparation to exhibit excellent moisturising properties for skin, resulting in enhanced skin texture and anti-wrinkle effect. Aloe vera leaf extracts consist of 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins.

Tulsi Tulsi (osmium basilicum) belonging to Libiatae family consist of leaves Ocimum santum Linn. From very ancient time tulsi leaves are used as an antimicrobial, insecticidal, diaphoretic. It has suitable antimicrobial activity for textile application. The main chemical constituents of tulsi are: ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, and β- caryophyllene these essential present in the tulsi is responsible for its anti-viral and antibacterial properties.

Many natural plants have been investigated for potential application in a new dimension to take them as cure for treatments such as antioxidant, antifungal, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial etc, and further research to explore their applications is an ongoing trend in research field. These plants are sources of aromatic, whose extract when applied as a finishing agents to textile material, gives fresh feel and fragrance to Textiles.

Syzygiumcumini is a standout amongst the most well known consumable product of India, with huge scope of properties. It’s great source for calcium and a reasonable wellspring of iron and useful for diabetes, loose bowels, gingivitis, ulcerations, sore throats, heartburn, appetite loss, leucorrhoea, bronchitis, asthma, enema, stomach-throbs and looseness of the bowels.

Tamarindusindica is most generally utilized as a part of the Indian foods. All parts of the tree are valuable. It is astringent, stomach related, antiasthmatic, febrifuge, carminative, antiscorbutic, antibilious and a decent wellspring of vitamin B and C and potassium bitartrate. Utilized for rheumatism, dysentery, jaundice, colic, heartburn, sore throats, aphthous, bruises, bronchitis, fever, scurvy, ulcers, bubbles and rashes.

Datura stramonium is a plant which its parts considered toxic and tastes unpleasant. It has opiate, anodyne, and antispasmodic, sedative, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, antitussive, bronchodilator, psychedelic, sleep inducing properties. Utilized for ailment, gastric torments, asthmatic assaults, sprains, muscle torment, muscle injuries, snakebites, piles, hack, writhings, gums amid toothache and connected on dog bite wounds. Utilized as poultices/candidate for psoriasis, syphilitic swellings and bubbles, hemorrhoids, crevices, and other rectal illnesses

Vinca major has laxative, vermifuge, depurative, hemostatic, against tumor, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. It is utilized for diabetes, stomach isssues, menorrhagia, asthma hypertension, dysmenorrheal, wasp stings and honey bee stings, acid reflux, dyspepsia, toothache and as eye wash.

Tecomastans, the whole plant can be used in the treatment of diabetes. Roots are accounted for to be diuretic, tonic, antisyphilitic and vermifuge. Its flowers and bark are utilized for stomach torments.

Eucalyptus camaldulens, Leaves and oils of this plant are great wellsprings of antimicrobial, vulnerary and antitubercular properties. It is utilized for lung illnesses, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal clutters, sore throat, catarrh, nasal blockage, hack, bacterial contaminations for respiratory and urinary tracts wounds.

Cassia angustifoliavahl is a plant known to posses diuretic, dysenteric and ophthalmic. It is utilized for gynecological sicknesses, uterine tonic for ladies instantly after pregnancy delivery, stone/rock in the bladder, eye-diseases include both inside and outside of eyes.

Saracaindica L. Asoka tree has numerous antimicrobial properties which include astringent, uterine narcotic anthelmintic, styptic, stomachic, constipation, febrifuge, and demulcent. It is utilized for menorrhagia, uterine soothing, excess top uterine bleeding, hemorrhoids, hemorrhagic looseness of the bowels and menstrual issue, dysmenorrheal, stomachaches, cervical adenitis, biliousness, syphilis, hyperdipsia, hemorrhagic diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and scabies. Asoka is likewise utilized for misery, ailment, skin sicknesses and urinary issue.

Ricinuscommunis L has antimicrobial, relieving, laxative, antirheumatic, antitoxin and antiphlogistic propery. Useful for gastrointestinal tract, ulcers, wounds, non-bringing down of the foetus during delivery, epilepsy, paralysis, enlargement of the uterus, prolapsus, piles, butt-centric crevices, skin maladies, injuries, bubbles, consumes, dog bites and cerebral pain.

Melia azedarach linn is a kind of natural plant that posses anthelmintic, antilithic, astringent, antiperiodic, diuretic, deobstruent, stomachic, resolvent, vermifuge, diuretic, stimulant, antiseptic, alterative, emmenagogue, emollient and laxative properties. It is utilized for fevers, malarial sicks, thirst, sickness, loose bowels, intestinal worms, urinary contaminations, hemorrhoids, leprosy infection and scrofulous ulcers, bubbles, bruises, skin ailments, craziness, stomach throbs, thorny and prickly warmth and pulverizes head lice

Pongamiapennata Karanj has got great anti-inflammatory, hostile to plasmodial, against noniceptive, antihyperglycemic, antilipidoxidative, antidiarrheal, against ulcer, hostile to hyperammonic, antioxidant, anthelminthic, antiseptic, stimulant, stomachic and chologogue properties. They are utilized for tympanism, dyspepsia, the stomach upsets, diabetes, stomach tumors, rheumatic joints, hack, bronchitis, ulcers, draining heaps, tingles, hack, parasitic skin-burdens, scabies, bruises herpes, dermatitis, cleaning of gums and teeth.

Cassia Fistula has antimicrobial, antitumor, aggravation, astringent, cell reinforcement, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, demulcent, antipyretic, abortifacient, laxative, purgative, antibilious, caminative, hypocholesterolemic and antidiabetic properties. It is utilized for burnt wounds, malignancy, irregular bowel issues, writhing, wooziness, ring worm, adenopathy, uncleanliness, syphilis, skin sicknesses; stomach torment, blockage, coronary illness, disease, Bacillus anthracis, blood harming, dark water fever, looseness of the bowels and intestinal sickness.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has emollient, emmenagogue, anodyne, expectorant, refrigerant, Anti-irresistible, anthelmintic, mitigating, diuretic, antipyretic, hypotensive, antispasmodic astringent and laxative properties. Proanthocyanidins are viewed as cancer prevention agent, antipyretic, pain relieving and spasmolytic. It is utilized for gonorrhea, imbuement for bronchitis, mumps, fever, sprue, loss of motion and menorrhagia, sore eyes, hacks, venereal maladies, fever, counteractant for harm, remotely connected for swellings, tumors, abscesses, carbuncles, bubbles, issues cerebral pains and hair incitement. Adhesive of roots is relieving on the mucous layers of the stomach related and respiratory tracts.

Tectonagrandis has diuretic, astringent, cooling lazative, narcotic, expectorant, astringent, anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, hostile to bacterial, cytotoxic, against anemic, against ulcer, hostile to viral, vulnerary and vermifuge properties. Utilized for to avert immatured births, hemoptysis, menstrual clutters, and hemorrhages, sore throat, pallor, bilious cerebral pains, provocative swellings, dyspepsia, consuming of stomach, eyelid swelling, eye reinforcing, heaps, leucoderma, looseness of the bowels, diuretic stimulant for hair development and skin tingling

Ocimum sanctum is well established ayurvedic plant and the most consecrated plant in Hindu religion. The plant have hostile to fertility, against malignancy, against diabetic, against parasitic, against microbial, galactagogue, hepato-defensive, cardio-defensive, antiemetic, antispasmodic, pain relieving activities which assorted them reasonable for most of the applications. It is utilized for stomachic, hepatic affections, gonorrhea, intestinal sickness, hack, bronchitis, asthma, jungle fever, looseness of the bowels, push, parasitic diseases, diuretic, rheumatic torments, loss of motion, catarrh, bronchitis, hacks, ear infections, worm removals, croup, the runs and to build drain discharge.

Aloe barbadensis becomes a restorative Ayurveda plants with sweet-smelling, astringent, aperient, laxative, emmenagogue, emollient, cholagogue, diuretic, stomachic, tonic, vulnerary, counteracting, anticancer and antimutagenic properties. It is useful for conjunctivitis, diabetes, loose bowels, kidney torments sprains, stomatitis, sore throat, skin consumes, singes, rub, sunburns, wounds pimples, skin inflammation, trims dandruff, hair fall and hairlessness.

Emblica Officinalis (Big) Amla , well known for its curing of malignancy, irritation due to various heats, diabetes, normalizing liver particular compound alanine, and transminase action, diminishes blood glucose levels, triglyceridemic levels, age-related, renal ailment and. It is utilized for diabetes, lessening of blood cholestrerols (ordinary and hypercholesterolemic), renal infections and avoiding hair turning gray. It has high tannin content, utilized as a part of polyherbal definitions, texture coloring as severe, inks, shampoos and hair oils.

Raphanussativus is another natural plant to be noted for its anthelmintic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiscorbutic, antifever, antitussive, gastric tonic, diuretic, purgative, tonic, carminative, remedial, stomachic, cholagogue, stimulant, lithotriptic, emmenagogue properties. It is useful for the runs, dropsy, general anasarca, heaps, stomach torments, fever, hack, expanded urinary stream, advancing solid discharges, edema, enlarged tummy, pale-yellowish face, oliguria, copies, singes, and ecchymosed/rank/rotten feet. It’s a decent source iron, calcium and vitamin-B.

Ficusreligiosa has antimicrobial, astringent, antidiarrhea, antidysenteric, purgative, antiasthmatic, antifungal, pain relieving, calming, cell reinforcement, febrifuge and vulnerary properties. It is utilized for bleeding disorders, which includes hematemesis, hemoptysis,hematuria, menorrhagia, metrorhhagia, epist, which incorporates hematemesis, hemoptysis, hematuria, menorrhagia, metrorhhagia, epistaxis, and draining hemorrhoids; gum ailments, blockage, mumps, abscesses, fevers, wounds, diarrhea, wounds, bubbles and mumps, low back torment, stomatitis, gastric ulcers, stomach related issues, skin ailments, including ringworm, competitor’s foot, and other contagious diseases.

Emblica Officinalis in general has acidic, astringent, laxative, cathartic, diaphoretic, adhesive and demulcent properties. It is utilized as a part of gonorrhea, urticaria, lumbago, sciatica, asthma, skin infections like dermatitis, abscesses, skin inflammation, bronchial catarrh, foot psoriasis and hacks.

All these natural plants can be directly applied on textile materials such as woven and knitted even for nonwovens after making conversion of leaves, roots, or its branches conveniently into extract form using world-wide technique Soxhlet apparatus method. Through suitable solvent these plant components in powder/finely grained form subjected to Soxhlet technique to obtain crude extract of plant comprises of active chemical component responsible for a particular activity, eg: Curcumin in turmeric powder responsible for antibacterial activity of turmeric materials. The obtained crude extract of plant can then be applied on textile fabric by pad-dry-cure finishing technique.

All the herbals still far used on textiles most closely evaluated for antibacterial activity of the plants, similar to these natural herbs can also be used for developing UV resistance on textiles by Eucalyptus leaves extract, self cleaning activity on textiles by egg shell powder (commercially called as egg albumin powder), etc.

Conclusion:

Garment finishing techniques like wrinkle free and resistance to shrinks through chemicals may likewise be hurtful for individuals with sensitive skin. They may cause sickness, breathing troubles, seizures and so forth. Remembering the well-being of sound way of life and cleanliness prompt a scope of textile products in particular, herbal textile products. Herbals application on the textile material is an innovative idea in the recent years. It gives a unique way towards the medicine treatments of different illnesses through textiles. Textile material of natural source is more vulnerable to attack than synthetic fibres. In the meantime human skin supports development of microscopic organisms, due to its metabolic by-products, for example, acidic and basic perspiration and urine, in spite of the fact that there are natural shield which is most important barrier to prevent microorganisms entering the body. Increase in population and the natural environment contamination in the present scenario urged the researchers to discover new health and cleanliness related textile products for the prosperity of humankind. Textiles with herbal incorporation, produced using hand woven fabrics in which the yarn is implanted with concentrates of plants and herbs, are guaranteed to help cure such infections as diabetes, hypertension, asthuma, joint inflammation, rheumatitis, and may likewise help support immunity. Natural garments are totally free of engineered chemicals and toxic irritants and are absolutely natural, sustainable and biodegradable. The expanding requests for natural textile materials demonstrate the mindfulness among the general population. Natural herb treatment on fabric surface may control the pathogen advancement and enhance the Health condition.

REFERENCES and URLs

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4. http://mytextilenotes.blogspot.com