ANTIMICROBIAL FINISHING ACTION OF CAMPHORA FOR COTTON AND POLYESTER FABRICS

This research work deals with a finishing agent using Camphora and assessing its antimicrobial properties on cotton and polyester fabrics. The Camphora was obtained from the open market in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria and crushed in small particles (billionths parts or 10-9 parts of it). The Camphora was used to make formulations with water of various concentrations of 14.3g/0.5dm3, 28.6g/0.5dm3 and 42.9g/0.5dm3. These various concentrations were used to culture the two fabric samples- 100% cotton and 100% polyester. At concentration below 42.9g/0.5dm3 both fabrics indicated growth of bacteria while at concentration of 42.9g/0.5dm3 no growth of bacteria was indicated. This implies that at this concentration (42.9g/0.5dm3), Camphora can be used conveniently as it inhibits the growth of bacteria on both fabrics. Biochemical test carried out on the cultured fabrics indicated the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli)- an aerobic bacterium, while those without growth of bacteria do not indicate the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli). The use of Camphora as antimicrobial finishing agent does not only give better resistance to bacteria growth, it also prevents the problems of unpleasant odour, retaining the weight, look, feel, colour and breath ability of the fabric.