Enzymatic surface modification of banana fabric with cellulase: Characterization and antimicrobial finishing with plant extracts

The current study examined the effect of cellulase enzyme bio-scouring on the banana fabric and the improvement in the antimicrobial property of the same fabric with the natural plant-based extract. Pre-treatment of banana fabric with cellulase enzyme was optimized with different parameters, namely enzyme concentration (2%), pH (5.5), MLR (Material to Liquid Ratio) (1:20), time (60 min), and temperature (55 degrees C). Effect of the enzyme bio-scouring on surface properties was studied using characterization techniques such as Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), XRay Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Wet-out time, Water contact angle and Hydrophilicity test. The changes in bulk properties due to the enzymatic treatment were studied by Weight Loss (%), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Attenuated Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Tensile Strength Measurement. The ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and XPS characterization revealed enhancement in the concentration of polar functional groups like -CHO, -COOH, -OH on the surface of the cellulase-treated banana fabric. For the antimicrobial finish, leaf extracts of Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) were applied to cellulase-treated banana fabric in different percentages, coupled with citric acid as a cross-linking agent. Antimicrobial testing was done using the Agar plate method and the altered Hoenstein test against one gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and one gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). In the case of cellulase enzyme treated banana fabric, 97% reduction for S. aureus and 92% reduction for E. coli were achieved. The durability of the finish was tested, and the antimicrobial finish persisted up to three cycles of washing in the case of the cellulase enzyme-treated banana fabric. In contrast, the antimicrobial finish was lost after the first washing of untreated fabric. According to the findings, the cellulase enzyme treatment can be used as an environmentally acceptable method for improving surface properties and adsorption of the antimicrobial extracts, thereby enhancing the antimicrobial property of the banana fabric.