APPLICATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL FINISH ON MODAL/COTTON FABRICS WITH CITRUS RETICULATA PEEL EXTRACT

The present investigation deals with studies on potentiality of extract from Orange peel as a source of Antibacterial activity. Orange is among the most popular fruits in the world, because the health advantage related with it is known to be numerous. Not only oranges are good for health, but also orange peels are excellent for the skin. Clothing is textile materials are not only the carriers of micro organisms such as pathogenic bacteria, odour generating bacteria, but also good media for the growth of the microorganisms. The Antibacterial property of fabrics is considered to be more important and inevitable finish for garments, which are in direct contact with human body. The orange peel extraction was applied on modal/cotton fabric by dip and dry method. Finish was applied in concentration (5g/l) on treated modal/cotton knitted fabric was determined. The antibacterial activity of the finished sample was assessed quantitative by AATCC-147 parallel streak test method in terms of bacterial reduction against the test organisms Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity which was evidenced by clear zone of bacterial inhibition in qualitative test.