Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review

Various antibacterial agents, including chemical agents, nanoparticles, and natural dyes, have been used to enhance the antimicrobial properties of textiles. The aim of this article is to identify the latest research in the field of antibacterial functionalization of textiles using natural dyes for...

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Main Authors: Ali Shams Nateri, Fatemeh Shams Nateri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Chemistry
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625005727
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author Ali Shams Nateri
Fatemeh Shams Nateri
author_facet Ali Shams Nateri
Fatemeh Shams Nateri
author_sort Ali Shams Nateri
collection DOAJ
description Various antibacterial agents, including chemical agents, nanoparticles, and natural dyes, have been used to enhance the antimicrobial properties of textiles. The aim of this article is to identify the latest research in the field of antibacterial functionalization of textiles using natural dyes for medical textile applications. In addition, it addresses the challenges and research gaps in the antibacterial functionalization of textiles with natural dyes and their commercialization. The increasing interest in the application of natural dyes is because of their medicinal applications, which are beneficial not only in textiles but also in pharmaceuticals. These dyes enhance the functional characteristics of fabrics, particularly in medical applications, by providing antimicrobial benefits that are fundamental for patient care. Three conventional methods were used for dyeing textiles with natural dyes: Pre-Mordanting (two-step), Meta-Mordanting (one-step), and Post-Mordanting (two-step). Several natural dyes were used for the antibacterial functionalization of cellulosic fibers, for example cotton, viscose, linen, and hemp, as well as protein fibers like wool and silk, and synthetic fibers for example polyester and polyamide (nylon). The evaluation of antibacterial activity in textiles is governed by standardized methods from organizations like ASTM, ISO, AATCC, and JIS. This review studied various natural dyes with antimicrobial properties, highlighting their application in medical textiles, such as gauze bandages. The focus on natural dyes reflects a broader trend toward eco-friendly products in the textile industry and also supports the demand for sustainable healthcare solutions. Studies indicate that natural colorants not only produce color in textiles but also have antibacterial properties, creating them suitable for healthcare applications, such as medical textiles. This indicates that using natural dyes may be the most effective strategy for improving antibacterial effectiveness while ensuring safety and sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-1e9e87f47dba43bda0ff107a65621f022025-08-26T04:14:15ZengElsevierResults in Chemistry2211-71562025-09-011710258910.1016/j.rechem.2025.102589Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a reviewAli Shams Nateri0Fatemeh Shams Nateri1Department of Textile Engineering, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran; Corresponding author.Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IranVarious antibacterial agents, including chemical agents, nanoparticles, and natural dyes, have been used to enhance the antimicrobial properties of textiles. The aim of this article is to identify the latest research in the field of antibacterial functionalization of textiles using natural dyes for medical textile applications. In addition, it addresses the challenges and research gaps in the antibacterial functionalization of textiles with natural dyes and their commercialization. The increasing interest in the application of natural dyes is because of their medicinal applications, which are beneficial not only in textiles but also in pharmaceuticals. These dyes enhance the functional characteristics of fabrics, particularly in medical applications, by providing antimicrobial benefits that are fundamental for patient care. Three conventional methods were used for dyeing textiles with natural dyes: Pre-Mordanting (two-step), Meta-Mordanting (one-step), and Post-Mordanting (two-step). Several natural dyes were used for the antibacterial functionalization of cellulosic fibers, for example cotton, viscose, linen, and hemp, as well as protein fibers like wool and silk, and synthetic fibers for example polyester and polyamide (nylon). The evaluation of antibacterial activity in textiles is governed by standardized methods from organizations like ASTM, ISO, AATCC, and JIS. This review studied various natural dyes with antimicrobial properties, highlighting their application in medical textiles, such as gauze bandages. The focus on natural dyes reflects a broader trend toward eco-friendly products in the textile industry and also supports the demand for sustainable healthcare solutions. Studies indicate that natural colorants not only produce color in textiles but also have antibacterial properties, creating them suitable for healthcare applications, such as medical textiles. This indicates that using natural dyes may be the most effective strategy for improving antibacterial effectiveness while ensuring safety and sustainability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625005727Medical textileAntibacterialNatural dyeEco-friendlyGauze bandage
spellingShingle Ali Shams Nateri
Fatemeh Shams Nateri
Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review
Results in Chemistry
Medical textile
Antibacterial
Natural dye
Eco-friendly
Gauze bandage
title Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review
title_full Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review
title_fullStr Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review
title_full_unstemmed Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review
title_short Eco-friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes: a review
title_sort eco friendly and sustainable antibacterial functionalization of medical textiles using natural dyes a review
topic Medical textile
Antibacterial
Natural dye
Eco-friendly
Gauze bandage
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625005727
work_keys_str_mv AT alishamsnateri ecofriendlyandsustainableantibacterialfunctionalizationofmedicaltextilesusingnaturaldyesareview
AT fatemehshamsnateri ecofriendlyandsustainableantibacterialfunctionalizationofmedicaltextilesusingnaturaldyesareview