Enhancement of antibacterial properties of cotton fabric by using neem leaves extract as dye

Abundantly available natural organic fiber is cotton. Cotton readily attacked by microorganisms. Microbial development of textile fabric creates a loss of strength and elasticity, discoloration and changes in its appearance. The neem leaf extract kills the bacteria by inhibiting its growth. One of the stronger advantage of neem extract is its effect upon the skin. In general, it is utmost supportive in treating a variety of skin problems and diseases including psoriasis, eczema and other persistent ones. Skin is generally covered by cloths and made up of cotton fabric. The antibacterial activity of the dyed fabric was assessed quantitatively using the AATCC100 test method. It was found that 100 to 99 percent reduction in the count of test bacteria’s. To evaluate the laundering effect of neem leaf extract dyed fabric, samples were subjected to laundering by the used of standard AATCC test method, the results showed a gradual decrease in antibacterial property, with a 100 to 45% reduction in the bacteria count for staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria and a 100 to 40% reduction in the bacteria count for salmonella typhi bacteria. The results of this investigation suggested that leaves of neem plant, a low-cost abundantly available plant in the environment can be used to impart antibacterial activity in woven cotton fabric.