Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Activity and Antimicrobial Finishing of Polyherbal Extract on Nonwoven Wound Dressing

Terminalia bellerica, Withania somnifera, Madhuca longifolia and Sygyzium cumini was selected for the current study based on its potent antimicrobial activity. The poly herbal plant extract was tested against nine clinical bacterial strains that are responsible for the wound infections. The FTIR and GCMS studies of the poly herbal plant extract revealed the presence of functional groups such as phenols, alcohol, amines, carbonyl group and components responsible for antimicrobial properties respectively. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of bioactive principles such as alkaloids, flavanoids, phenols, steroids and tannins. The poly herbal extract was then coated on the TencelR nonwoven fabric using pad-dry-cure method. The antimicrobial efficacy of the coated fabrics exhibited better inhibitory activity against all the test organisms under the standard AATCC 147. The coated fabric also showed 8 mm zone of inhibition against Candida albicans. The results recommend the use of poly herbal plant extract can potentially be used as a substitute to synthetic agents. Also, it can be employed in non-implantable medical textiles such as wound dressings to prevent the microbial infestation and also to reduce the bio burden in wound therapy.