DOI:
VOLUME-5, ISSUE-9
Yuvasri .V , Anchana devi.C*and Leela.K
PG & research department of Biotechnology, Women’s Christian college, Chennai -600006, Tamilnadu , India
ABSTRACT
Mosquitoes are of leading public health concern because many species are vectors of diseases and they transmit parasites and pathogens, which continue to have an overwhelming impact on the human health. They are the main cause of spreading the deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, filariasis and chickungunya. A mosquito repellent textile is a textile product, which protects the human beings from the bite of mosquitoes and thereby promising safety from the mosquito borne diseases. To impart this character, a finish of the mosquito-repelling agent is given to the textile material. The main objective of the study was to develop an Eco friendly, efficient mosquito repellent finished fabric using essential oils; (Lemongrass, Thyme and Lavender).The essential oils were finished onto the cotton fabrics (Pure mercerised cotton fabric and Plain weave cotton fabric) by microencapsulation using pad dry cure method. Today’s textile industry makes use of microencapsulated materials to enhance the properties of finished goods. The microcapsules binding on to the fabrics were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis and the presence of chemical functional groups were confirmed by FTIR analysis. Thyme oil microcapsules treated fabric showed maximum antibacterial activity.The comparison between Microencapsulated oil finished cotton fabrics (pure mercerised cotton fabric and plain weave cotton fabric) were evaluated for mosquito repellency efficiency against Aedesaegypti using a Mosquito Repellency Behavioral test. Wash durability test for the finished fabrics will be evaluated by subjecting the finished fabric to 3 washes followed by repeating the Mosquito Repellency Behavioral test to check its efficiency.
Keywords: Mosquito repellent , FT IR, Textiles and Aedesaegypti.