Development of antibacterial wool fabrics by simple and easy applicable method

This investigation deals with obtaining bacterial-resistant keratin macromolecules holding built-in antimicrobial niches. Wool fabrics were sulphitolyzed using various concentrations of sodium metabisulfite at different temperatures, treatment times, and pH values. The effect of sulfitolysis of wool on its resistance towards bacteria, namely Escherichia coli (G -ve) and Staphylococcus aureus (G +ve), was assessed. The sulfitolyzed wool fabric withstands the deteriorative action of the aforementioned species without adverse effect on its desirable inherent properties. The change in the chemical composition of the treated wool fabrics was monitored using alkali solubility test, amino acid analysis, and elemental analysis. The influence of sulfitolysis of wool on its whiteness index as well as its tensile strength and elongation at break was also assessed.