Triazine mediated covalent antibiotic grafting on cotton fabrics as a modular approach for developing antimicrobial barriers

Abstract: New antimicrobial textiles were prepared through direct chemical linkage of bioactive molecules eugenol and fluoroquinolone derivatives, onto the surface of cotton fabrics. The attachment through a triazine moiety minimizes the leaching of the antimicrobial molecule into the surroundings of the material. Bacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. The treated textile with fluoroquinolone demonstrated bacteriostatic antimicrobial effects having a tendency to decrease the population of S. aureus in the planktonic form. A significant effect was also observed in the prevention of S. aureus biofilm formation and in its ability to kill bacteria within a preformed biofilm. Eugenol-modified fabric was also active in the process of eradicating preformed P. aeruginosa biofilms. Further, in vitro assays using human dermal fibroblast cells indicate no effects on cell proliferation and viability, and in vivo tests in a murine skin wound model showed no increase of IL-6 for full-thickness wounds that were in contact with the fabrics. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].