ARS | Publication request: Preparation and Properties of Silver Antimicrobials

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 15, 2004
Publication Date: June 15, 2004
Citation: Parikh, D.V. 2004. Preparation and Properties of Silver Antimicrobials. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. p. 2765-2766.

Technical Abstract: The presentation will be on preparation and properties of a cation-exchange-based development of silver antimicrobial nonwovens from (a) sodium salt of carboxymethylated cotton, and (b) commercially available calcium alginates. We have prepared carboxymethylated cotton nonwovens by treating nonwovens with caustic soda and monochloroacetic acid in an 85/15 ethanol/water medium. An ethanol/water medium preserved the fibrous form of nonwovens, imparting the desired properties of improved moisture regain, high bound water, and high swellability. The presence of a functional group, methyl carboxyl (-CH2COONa) in carboxymethylated nonwovens enabled us to carry out further chemical modification to develop post-treated antimicrobial products. Antimicrobial nonwovens were prepared with silver nitrate by post treating carboxymethylated cotton in an ethanol/water medium. Similarly, we also prepared antimicrobial calcium/sodium alginate nonwovens by treating commercially available alginates with silver nitrate in ethanol/water. Isopropanol/water medium works equally well, and is an option. Commercially available alginate dressings are used as moist wound dressings. By imparting antimicrobial properties we have expanded the functionality of the alginate dressings. The antimicrobial properties of these products were evaluated as effective against both gram positive (Staphylococcous aureus) and gram negative microbes (Klebsiella pneuoniae). Antimicrobial properties were determined at North American Science Associates (NAMSA).