New bioactive non-implantable textile material using green seaweed for medical applications

Medical textile is one aspect of technical textiles and it is classified according to performance and functional properties for hygienic and healthcare products. Seaweeds have curative powers for curing most degenerative diseases. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The present study focusses on the extraction of dyes from five seaweeds such as Ulva reticulata, Ulva lactuca, Sargassum wightii, Padina tetrastomatica and Acanthophora spicefera. The presence of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of dye extracted from seaweeds was analysed. The dye extracted from green seaweed was applied on cotton fabric to obtain antimicrobial and other properties used to make non- implantable materials.

A maximum antioxidant inhibition percentage of 86.48+2.84 and a maximum antibacterial activity of 27 mm inhibition zone were obtained on the fabric treated with the dye extract from the Ulva lactuca seaweed. The physical properties such as tensile strength and tearing strength did not show much significant difference in untreated and treated fabric. The air permeability, water absorbency and wicking behaviour of treated fabric were reduced compared with untreated fabric. The washing and rubbing properties of treated fabric were very good after repeated washing.

This bioactive fabric has been used for non-implantable materials such as wound healing, face mask, surgical gowns and hygienic textiles in recent years.