Application of Antimicrobial Microcapsules on Agrotextiles

Abstract

The aim of this work was to develop a functional biodegradable nonwoven with antimicrobial microcapsules maintaining the stability and biodegradabil-ity of the nonwoven for use in agriculture applications. The nonwoven was obtained using hemp fibers by Wetlaid technology. Microcapsules were pre-pared by co-extrusion/gelling method with alginate as shell and oregano oil as core material. The microcapsules were developed to protect and control re-lease of oregano oil. Microcapsules were incorporated on the nonwoven by coating method using a natural polymer as a graft material. After incorporat-ing microcapsules, the nonwoven was subjected to several tests in order to determinate the microcapsules fixation and their functionality. The nonwo-vens were characterized for their antimicrobial activity against different kinds of bacteria and fungi. Nonwoven loaded with microcapsules was found to show good antimicrobial activity in comparison with nonwoven that was not loaded with microcapsules.