Making antifungal fabrics from turmeric-based dyes

Dermatomycosis is a common fungal skin infection caused by exposure to microorganisms that persist in contaminated textiles like socks and linens. Because turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains chemicals with antifungal properties, Gargoubi et al. tested the spice for its effectiveness as an antifungal dye for cotton fabrics.

“The idea behind this research was mainly to specifically address and solve issues for army soldiers or workers that need to wear strong shoes for long hours in hot and humid environments,” said author Diego Mantovani.

On fabrics modified by polydopamine to boost curcuma dye adhesion, the group found no trace of fungal growth present for two of the three common fungi they tested. For comparison, the control group of crude fabrics was fully covered by fungal colonies after seven days of incubation.

According to the authors, curcuma dye likely suppresses fungal growth by disrupting fungal plasma membranes and inhibiting respiration.

To better characterize the effectiveness of the dye, the group treated polydopamine-modified cotton with curcuma ethanolic extract. They then deposited three different fungi onto the cotton samples to help qualify the fabric’s antifungal capabilities.

“The techniques can be easily adapted to a textile dyeing process for providing extra-functional groups able to prevent fungi formation,” Mantovani said. Some of their envisaged applications include creating fabrics for mass transportation seats, or towels for hotels and hospitals.

In order to expand these applications, a more detailed understanding of the dye’s behavior on various types of materials is required, as well as additional testing on its durability and comfort.

Source: “Polydopamine-modified interface improves the immobilization of natural bioactive-dye onto textile and enhances antifungal activity,” by Sondes Gargoubi, Fatma Saghrouni, Pascale Chevallier, Ranna Tolouei, Chedly Boudokhane, Neji Ladhari, and Diego Mantovani, Biointerphases (2020). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0000295 .