Preparation of Antibacterial Microcapsules Loaded with Matrine and the Application to Cotton Fabrics

Matrine, a natural fungicide derived from legumes, exhibits significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Matrine-loaded agar microcapsules were synthesized utilizing the emulsification technique. Under conditions where the stirring speed was set at 10,000 rpm, the core-to-wall ratio was maintained at 1:5, and the emulsification temperature was established at 80 °C, the microcapsules exhibited a drug loading efficiency of 15.1% and an encapsulation efficiency of 75.6%. These microcapsules were subsequently affixed to cotton fibers using waterborne polyurethane, resulting in an antibacterial cotton fabric(Matrine@Agar/Cot) capable of inhibiting the proliferation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans to a significant degree. The warp breaking strength of Matrine@Agar/Cot decreased by 1%, the weft breaking strength decreased by 6.3%, and the air permeability decreased by 5%, while the mechanical strength and air permeability of the fabric remained largely unchanged. The antibacterial rates of Matrine@Agar/Cot against E. coli, S. aureus, and Candida albicans were 73.9%, 72.5%, and 80.0%, respectively. After 10 washing cycles, these rates decreased to 66.7%, 51.6%, and 59.5%, respectively. After 30 and 40 washes, Matrine@Agar/Cot could not produce an inhibitory effect on E.coli, S.aureus, and Candida albicans.

Graphical abstract