Sustainable Approach to Development of Antimicrobial Textile Pads for Sweat Absorption
Daiva Mikucioniene,
Jurga Andreja Kazlauskaite,
Inga Matulyte,
Brigita Petkuviene,
Ginta Laureckiene,
Mindaugas Marksa,
Jurga Bernatoniene
Affiliations
Daiva Mikucioniene
Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų 56, LT-51424 Kaunas, Lithuania
Jurga Andreja Kazlauskaite
Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu pr. 13, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
Inga Matulyte
Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu pr. 13, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
Brigita Petkuviene
Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų 56, LT-51424 Kaunas, Lithuania
Ginta Laureckiene
Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų 56, LT-51424 Kaunas, Lithuania
Mindaugas Marksa
Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
Jurga Bernatoniene
Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu pr. 13, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
Double-layered textile sweat-absorbing underarm pads with a natural antimicrobial treatment can be used to solve the problem of the wetness sensation in the case of increased physical activity or hyperhidrosis. In addition, changeable antimicrobial active underarm pads help to decrease the number of clothing washings, i.e., reducing water consumption and pollution. Another aspect of sustainability is that the underarm pads can be produced from clothing production waste. The moisture absorption capability of six hydrophilic cellulose-based knitted fabrics and two hydrophobic synthetic woven fabrics was investigated. It was found that the best result for next-to-skin moisture absorption and next-to-clothing protection against moisture penetration was achieved by using a double-layered underarm pad composed of a cotton-based fleece knitted structure in the next-to-skin layer and a very thin and tight 100% PA woven fabric in the outer layer. Four samples of impregnated liquid with herbal extracts and essential oils were prepared, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the discus method. Textile impregnated with tea tree essential oil, nutmeg, and birch extracts had the highest antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria—Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus cereus.
