DEVELOPMENT OF A DUAL-MODE ANTIMICROBIAL COATING FOR HEALTHCARE CURTAINS: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

Fashion Technology

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect approximately 5–15% of hospitalized patients globally, with hospital privacy curtains serving as significant but overlooked reservoirs for microbial contamination. This study reports the development of a dual-mode antimicrobial coating applied to 150 GSM polyester fabric, integrating β-cyclodextrin as a binder, pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract as a natural antimicrobial agent, and riboflavin (vitamin B2) as a photodynamic compound. The coating was applied using a dip-coating method, followed by drying and curing processes to ensure uniform deposition and adhesion. Antibacterial testing using the agar diffusion method (AATCC 147) against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) revealed a zone of inhibition of 26.3 mm under light conditions and 24.0 mm under dark conditions, with an overall average of 25.2 mm. The uncoated control fabric showed no inhibition zone. The coating exhibited enhanced activity under light conditions due to riboflavin-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while maintaining effective antimicrobial action in dark conditions due to the bioactive compounds (polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids) present in pomegranate peel extract. The developed coating outperformed conventional antimicrobial coatings including silver nanoparticles (20-25 mm), zinc oxide (15-22 mm), and copper-based coatings (18-24 mm). The results demonstrate that the developed coating is eco-friendly (100% biodegradable components), cost-effective (utilizes agricultural waste), and highly efficient, offering a promising solution for reducing infection risks in healthcare environments. This study addresses critical research gaps by combining natural antimicrobial agents with photodynamic technology in a scalable, sustainable coating system.

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