Published Paper Details:

The current study focuses on the bioefficacy potency of chitosan against the nosocomial pathogens. For the effective application in hospital environment, chitosan was coated on the surface of 40s cotton to exhibit antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus prevailing in hospital zones. Antibiotics with similar mode of bacterial killing action like chitosan were analysed for the synergistic effect using checker board assay. Using pad-dry-cure method the 40s cotton fabric was coated with chitosan along with an anchoring agent cyanuric chloride. Similarly the reactive dye binding method was used to coat the synergistic drug Cefixime on the surface of chitosan coated cotton fabric. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis were done for the coated cotton fabrics. Both qualitative and quantitative bioefficacy analysis of the coated cotton fabric were done by using antibacterial activity assay-AATCC 100 test methods and wash fastness test-AATCC 124 test method respectively. The results showed that the antimicrobial finish of the 40s cotton fabric was effective against E. coli and S. aureus and will be active for up to 50 home launderings. Even though the growth and colonizing ability of both the bacterial pathogens used in this study were effective, a better killing effect was observed against S. aureus than E. coli.