FUNGAL GENERATED TITANIUM
DIOXIDE NANOPARTILCES FOR UV
PROTECTIVE AND BACTERIAL
RESISTANT FABRICATION
Brindha Durairaj1*, Teena Xavier1, Santhoshkumar Muthu1
Department of Biochemistry, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore- 641014
1*
Head and Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore- 641014. Email: brindhavenkatesh@ymail.com
1
Research Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore- 641014
ABSTRACT:
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) were biologically synthesized by using a fungal species
Aspergillus niger and further characterized by UV visible spectrophotometer, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Dip dry method was used to impregnate TiO2 nanoparticles in cotton
fabric. The fabric finishes were tested for their ultraviolet protection factor with UV/V Spectrophotometer technique and antibacterial properties. UV Protection factor value was found to be 30. The antimicrobial activity of the cloth against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was positive. Clear zones of inhibition prove that TiO2 NPs possess bactericidal property. The above properties show that fabric coated with TiO2 NPs can
provide protective effect against UV radiation and pathogenic bacteria species.
KEY WORDS: Titanium dioxide, Aspergillus niger, cotton fabric, ultraviolet protection factor, antimicrobial activity
1. INTRODUCTION:
Advances in the field of nanotechnology have provided different metal nano-materials having innovative applications in various fields. These particles are ultra small in size, biocompatible, high surface area to mass ratio, and considerable surface activity along with plasmon resonance bands [1]. Bacterial and fungal species remain to be potent in remediating toxic metals through the reduction of the metal ions. The ability of some microorganisms to control the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has been employed in the search for new materials [2]. A new era has evolved in the realm of textile finishing with the advent of nanotechnology. Nanocoating on the surface of clothing and textile enhance the materials for blocking UV rays and inhibiting microbial growth as well [3]. All the leading textile industries are focusing on value added applications such as microbe resistance, electromagnetic protection and thermoregulatory fabrics. Materials and system for human protection will enhance the performance and well being of the human society. Protecting defence personnel from microbe and cross infection is aided with special finishes like antimicrobial finish. It has become a necessity on clothing, socks, blankets and bed linens used by them [4]. The antimicrobial finishes to fabrics can prevent microbial growth on textiles and nanoparticles mostly reveal completely new or improved properties based on explicit characteristics such as size, distribution and morphology. In recent years, the use of nano titanium dioxide photo-catalyst to cover textiles and improve their surface properties has expanded due to their ability to absorb ultra-violet irradiation and create antibacterial effect [5-6].
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Biomass production
Aspergillus niger was cultivated in 250ml Erlenmeyer Flask containing 100ml modified malt extract peptone (MGYP) medium. After adjusting the pH of medium to 6.8, the culture was grown with continuous shaking on a rotary shaker (150 rpm) at 28oC for 72hrs. After 72hrs, fungal balls of mycelia were separated from the culture broth by centrifugation (4000 rpm) at 4oC for 10min and then fungal mycelia were washed with sterile distilled water. The harvested fungal biomass (15 g wet weight) was re-suspended in100ml sterile Milli-Q-Water in 250ml Erlenmeyer flask and again kept on shaker (150 rpm) at 28oC for 62hrs [7].
2.2. Synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
shaker (150 rpm) at 28oC and the reaction was allowed for 48 hrs. The biologically transformed particles were collected periodically and monitored for characterization [8].
Characterisation of Nanoparticles 2.3. UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis:
Optical properties of TiO2 NPs were measured by subjecting the sample to UV-Visible spectrophotometer within the range 200 to 800nm and absorbance was plotted on a graph [9].
2.4. Scanning electron microscopic analysis
The morphology and size of the synthesisedn anaoparticles were determined using scaning electron microscope. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis was performed using Joel Model No. 6390 SEM machine. Thin films of the sample were prepared on a carbon coated copper grid by just dropping a very small amount of the sample on the grid, extra powder was removed and was subjected for SEM analysis.
2.5. X Ray Diffraction analysis
Crystal structure, phase composition, phase purity and mean size of the nanoparticles are analysed by X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy. The X-Ray diffraction pattern of the synthesized nanoparticles were recorded between the range 10o to 90o.
2.6. Fabric treatment (Dip dry method)
The method of dipping was done by immersing the fabric material (100% Cotton woven) in the treatment bath containing the titanium dioxide nanoparticles for 20 minutes at room temperature and then pulled up from the bath followed by squeezing and the finished fabric was air-dried.
2.7. Analysis of Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)
UV transmittance through the fabric samples was determined within a wave length range from of 280 to 400 nm using a Shimadzu UV/V is Spectrophotometer. The standard method used for determining the UPF was AATCC 183 – 1999 (Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through fabrics).
2.8. Antibacterial Activity of fabric
The antibacterial activity of the finished fabric was tested according to EN ISO 20645 against
Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli species. Nutrient agar plates were prepared by pouring 15ml of media into sterile Petri dishes. The plates were allowed to solidify for 5mins and 0.1% inoculums was swabbed uniformly and allowed to dry for 5min. The finished fabric with the diameter of 2.0 ± 0.1 cm was placed on the surface of medium and the plates were kept for incubation at 37ºC for 24hrs. At the end of incubation, the zone of inhibition formed around the fabric was measured in millimetres and recorded.
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION 3.1.UV-Visible analysis
The production of TiO2 nanoparticles by Aspergillus niger was characterized by UV-Visible
spectroscopy. Figure 1 shows the absorption spectra at 202 nm and 752 nm which are due to the surface Plasmon resonance /vibration in the reaction mixture. The absorption peak is an evidence for the formation of nanoprticle in the fungal culture.
3.2. SEM The morpholo nanoparti spherical 3.3XRay
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This evidences the presence of nanomaterials . Figure 3 represents the XRD patterns of TiO2 prepared by
Aspergillus niger. XRD pattern clearly indicates that anatase form of TiO2 was obtained by this method. Indication of reduction in crystallite size was attributed to broadening of peak in the case of TiO2 prepared by biosynthesis. Peaks obtained corresponds to the indication of anatase form [10].
3.3.Evaluation of ultraviolet protection
The ultraviolet protection factor was calculated in order to ascertain the UV protective property of the fabric coated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The ultra violet protection of a fabric is expressed by the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). The UPF evaluates the reduction in the amount of UV radiation that passes through the fabric to the skin. The excellent protective effect is generally attributed to a range of 50 UPF [11]. The UPF factor of the fabric treated with TiO2 nanoparticles was found to be 39.9.This shows that the NPs coated fabrics
have very good UV protection as its blocks UV radiation within the range 96 to 97.4 nm.AATCC test method was adopted to calculate UPF values. Nanoparticles have larger surface area per unit mass and volume which causes effective blocking of UV radiation. The layer of titanium dioxide formed on the surface of the fabric provides excellent protection against the harmful ultra violet radiation. The Table 1 provides the rating for the % of UV radiation blocked by the fabric [12].
Table 1: Analysis of Ultraviolet Protection Factor in tested fabric
Sample
Ultra Violet Protection Factor (UPF)# (AS/NZS 4399:1966)
Standard chart for UPF rating for the fabric
UPF rating Protection Category
%UV Radiation Blocked
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles Finished 100% cotton
fabric
Mean UPF UPF Rating 15 to 20 Good 93.3 – 95.9
33.69 30
25 to 35 Very Good 96.0 – 97.4
40 to 50 Excellent 97.5 or more
3.4.Antibacterial activity
Fabric coated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles was assessed for activity against bacteria such Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Measurement of zone of inhibition has been furnished in table 2. The fabric is found to possess effective antibacterial activity as the zone of 40.13+1.32 mm measures against E. Coli and 49.12 mm measures against S. aureus. The clear zones in the areas surrounding surface of antibacterial fabric was observed against both the bacterial species. The mechanism of antibacterial activity is based on the nanoparticle coated and the hydrophilic property of the cotton fabric used in the study might be another factor [13]. Since the cotton fabric comes in contact with the wet medium it becomes wet and releases the nanoparticle already impregnated. Moreover titanium dioxide is a semiconductor material which on illuminating with ultraviolet band gap light becomes a powerful radix catalyst capable of killing bacteria [14]. Biologically synthesized nano-TiO2 have proven to have excellent antibacterial activity against E. Coli and S.aureus bacteria by previous report which support the present study [15-16].
Table 2: Antibacterial activity of TiO2
Values are average of triplicates and + standard deviation
Sample Zone of inhibition in mm
S.aureus E.coli
Untreated 0 0
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles Finished
Figure 4: Antibacterial activity of fabric coated with TiO2 nanoparticles: A- S.aureus; B-E.coli; T-Nanoparticles treated fabric; C- untreated
fabric
CONCLUSIONS
The present investigation concludes that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can be successfully synthesized by Aspergillus niger. This has been confirmed by characterising the NPs by UV, SEM, XRD methods. Since TiO2 possess good UV protection factor it can serve as best resource for the production of
nanocoated textiles with protective qualities for the wearers. In addition to UV protective effect, antibacterial property against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli also has been proven in this study. Hence, Nanocoated fabrics offer protection against radiation mediated health problem and pathogenic bacteria.
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