Bioactive cotton fabrics containing chitosan and biologically active substances extracted from plants

The paper studies the obtaining of bioactive textiles using chitosan-coated fabrics, in which biologically active substances contained by Viola Tricolor (VT) – an extract of three Viola species (Violaceae) – were immobilized. Chitosan was applied on cotton fabric or on chemically modified cotton (having reactive –CHO or carboxymethyl groups), as tripolyphosphate (TPP) crosslinked fine particles, or by use of glutaraldehyde crosslinking agent. The amount of VT retained on the fabrics was found to depend on the procedure of chitosan application on the cotton. The obtained bioactive textiles are expected to have antioxidant activity due to the biologically active substances from VT; they can be used for obtaining clothes for people with allergies or other skin problems, assuring a controlled release of biomolecules. The study focuses on the in vitro release of VT retained on the fabrics, as well as on its antioxidant activity. ► Cotton fabrics were coated through various methods with crosslinked chitosan. ► Biologically active substances extracted from plants were loaded on them. ► The in vitro release and the antioxidant activities of the materials were evaluated. ► Potential use as protective device against degenerative diseases can be envisaged.