Browsing by Author "Silva, Augusta"
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- Boosting textiles with plant extracts: an advanced sustainable antimicrobial innovation for direct skin applicationsPublication . Oliveira, Cláudia S.; Rocha, Ashly; Antunes, Jéssica; Silva, Augusta; Silva, Carla; Tavaria, Freni K.This study investigates the incorporation of natural plant extracts, particularly eucalyptus and hop, into knitted fabrics to develop antimicrobial textiles. The antibacterial activity of the functionalized fabrics was evaluated against two pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and one common skin commensal (Staphylococcus epidermidis). Biocompatibility with human skin cells was assessed through MTT assays, TO/PI, and Calcein/PI staining. Results demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity of the functionalized textiles against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, with less evident effects on E. coli. Fabrics, functionalized with hop extracts, demonstrated biocompatibility in the applied two-dimensional models; however, confirming their safety for human use requires further evaluation using advanced models and additional endpoints, such as skin sensitization and genotoxicity. Overall, the study highlights the potential of incorporating natural plant extracts in textile functionalization to create eco-friendly and antimicrobial materials that meet growing market demands for safety and sustainability. Future research is warranted to optimize performance and applications.
- Sustainable textiles with plant extracts for skin applicationsPublication . Oliveira, Cláudia S.; Rocha, Ashly; Antunes, Jéssica; Silva, Augusta; Silva, Carla; Tavaria, Freni K.The expanding market for antimicrobial textiles demands innovative products to support modern technological advancements across various industries. This growing need includes the food industry, where antimicrobial textiles are vital for preventing contamination through uniforms and surface coverings; healthcare institutions, which utilize these products to reduce infection spread; consumer goods such as clothing and sportswear that benefit from enhanced hygiene and odor control; and dermatotherapeutical applications where antimicrobial textiles aid in treating skin infections. Given their direct contact with human skin, it's crucial to consider their safety and effectiveness. To address this demand, numerous antimicrobial textiles have been developed, often relying on synthetic components like metals (silver, copper, zinc) and chemical agents (quaternary ammonium compounds, triclosan). However, the potential side effects of these synthetic materials highlight the need for natural antimicrobial agents, which are considered safer. Plant extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, offer a promising alternative. For instance, Eucalyptus and hop extracts have shown strong antimicrobial properties against various bacteria. This study evaluates the use of these plant extracts to functionalize textiles, testing their antimicrobial activity against common skin bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli), while assessing their biocompatibility with human skin cells to ensure safety for direct skin applications.