Funkcionalizacija celuloznih materialov za razvoj novih sanitetnih ter medicinskih tekstilij (Slovene)

From once a very man-powered branch, a textile industry turned in to a high tech technological intensive and innovative one. The future of textile industry is in the development of specific functional materials with high-added value, such as antimicrobial medical textiles, which enabled higher human protection, better care and higher quality of life. The project presents the functionalization of cellulose material using biodegradable alternative amino polysaccharides (quaternary and carboxymethylated chitosan, cationised xylans and galactoglucomannans) for introducing of antimicrobial properties. One of the most important aspects of the project is also a systematic study of interactions between functionalized surface of cellulose fibers and a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. There is still a large gap in the research field of interactions between bacterial and fungal systems and bioactive surfaces of polymeric cellulose materials that are most frequently used in numerous advanced industrial branches, as majority of tests have been performed only in liquid media and not on complex heterogeneous systems such as functionalized fibrous materials. The project will be based on the establishment of applicable protocols to test the presence / absence of pathogens, and as a verification of the activity of the functionalized surfaces of the mentioned functionalized cellulose polymers. The proposed project will thus significantly contribute to the new knowledge on the field of microbiological testing. It will enlighten advantages and disadvantages of certain standardized culture dependent antimicrobial methods that are generally used in textile industry. But the most important aspect will be development of new, more reliable procedure of antimicrobial testing of functionalized textiles by using advanced molecular techniques. The development of the new antimicrobial functionalised medical textiles and the accurate and reliable methods for the analyses of microbiological activity parameters will enable Tosama d.d. its own future development of high value added products, and as such, to get better chances in world market positioning.

Results of this work present new contribution to the fundamental knowledge on the interactions of chitosan formulations (solutions and nanoparticle dispersions) with the cellulose surfaces and to applied science of medical textiles, especially from the following viewpoints: - NMR study of chitosan’s mode of action and comprehensive study of antimicrobial properties and correlation between techniques as well as novel method of potassium efflux using spectrophotometry and potentiometry by potassium ion-selective electrode. It was shown that antimicrobial techniques need to be modified or at least two techniques need to be combined when fibres are tested. All of the involve partners will continue scientific work within new EU proposals.

The project topic is entirely adjusting with Republic Slovenian national research program’s priorities for time period 2011-2020. Based on that, the fields which are extra perspective for Slovenia enables the deep engaged knowledge, scientific level rise and economic efficiency and are founded on human society valuableness like the fields that directly support rapid development of basic economic branch. Goals of the project are consistent with all research priorities of Slovenian textile technology platform, which represents major support to textile industry in Slovenia. Basic research and development topic that the project is dealing with is the connection of two priority themes, defined in national research programme such as: i) Development of complex systems and innovative technologies as well as ii) Improvement of Health and human life quality. Results of project are functionalized materials which will in the near future accelerate competitiveness of the Tosama in the market and from the view of technological aspect will increase the possibility to be in the line with the most progressive world companies. New functionalized materials will be result of an entirely domestic knowledge and experience and will be friendly products for environment and for costumer, respectively. New technology is basing on the use of natural and biologically degradable substances; production will be performed without the use of expensive and harmful organic reagents, therefore the strictest European ecological regulations will be fulfiled. In the frame of existing products, new products will differ in considerable higher added value which means that the company Tosama could extend its potential products as are gauzes, medical tampons, plasters etc., on the field of medicine and pharmacy, respectively. In the company Tosama due to the project results certificated laboratory will be established shortly primarily intended for an internal monitoring of antimicrobial treatments. Even more the optimization of standard microbiological tests as well as establishing of new ones will contribute to development of new methods and standards. Moreover, the technology for fibre functionalization as well as the methodology of antimicrobial testing that would be developed during this project could in this way also be applied in other industrial fields within Slovenia such as: the paper industry, the chemical industry, pharmacy and medicine.