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Abstract: The aim of this dissertation was to develop a novel medical tampon for alternative gynaecological treatment using chitosan nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent or as a drug delivery system. For this purpose viscose tampon band was used and functionalized with chitosan and trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles. A comprehensive of interactions between chitosan and cellulose as well as characterization of prepared materials were done. At the beginning, chitosan (CS) and trimethyl chitosan (TMC) solutions, as well as nanoparticles synthesised by ionic gelation were studied. Their characterization was focused on determining the charge and antimicrobial properties against common pathogenic microorganism. The influence of cationic charge on the inhibition of microbial growth was confirmed. Since CS and TMC solutions and nanoparticles dispersions exhibited antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus, a detailed investigation in chitosan’s antimicrobial mode of action was performed using a novel diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance (D-NMR). D-NMR allowed the monitoring of intra- and extracellular water exchange from the cells indicating the membrane alteration and leakage of intracellular constituencies. Further, in order to study the adsorption phenomena and molecular interactions between CS/TMC (solution or nanoparticles) and cellulose material, model cellulose surfaces were used, and adsorption was studied by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. CS and TMC were favourably deposited onto cellulose model surface at higher ionic strength, higher pH values, i.e. factors causing lower solubility, where the presence of electrostatic interactions was negligible and non-electrostatic interactions were dominant. The knowledge gained from the model surfaces was extremely helpful in characterization of real systems, i.e. functionalized cellulose fibres and for understanding the obtained results. Immobilization of CS and TMC (in the form of solution and/or nanoparticles) onto cellulose viscose fibres was confirmed with several analytical methods. The attachment of chitosan onto fibres was reversible, as endorsed with desorption studies mimicking the conditions of vaginal usage. Evaluation of antimicrobial properties was performed using two different techniques, both revealing a high inhibition of the tested microorganism. In addition, Lactobacillus susceptibility testing has shown that chitosan-coated fibres do not have any negative influence on the resident microbiota. Assessment of in-vitro cytotoxicity demonstrated that samples do not cause a cytotoxic effect in direct contact. Additionally, model drug was incorporated into chitosan nanoparticles and subsequently attached onto fibres in order to create modern, vaginal drug delivery systems. Antimicrobial medical textiles investigated in the scope of this dissertation show the potential for their exploitation in gynaecological field as preventive or curative treatment without triggering any adverse effects for the user.
Keywords: chitosan, N, N, N-trimethyl chitosan, nanoparticles, antimicrobial activity, cellulose model films, regenerated cellulose fibres, diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance, quartz crystal microbalance, vaginal infections, drug delivery systems, cytotoxicity
Published in DKUM: 13.02.2014; Views: 3260; Downloads: 146
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Abstract: Regenerated cellulose fibres have had an important role to play in the man-made fibre field. The very special characteristics of different types of regenerated cellulose fibres, e.g. mechanical properties, sorption characteristics, and aesthetics were conditioned by the differences in their fine structure due to fibre formation processes. Additionally, the finishing processes could influence the fibre structure. A study was done of the crystalline structures of a solvent-spun cellulose fibre type (Lenzing Lyocell), made according to the NMMO process, and two conventional cellulosic fibre types, made by the viscose process (Lenzing Viscose and Lenzing Modal). The fibres were pre-treated (bleached and slack mercerised) and structural changes were followed by wide angle and small angle x-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS), respectively. The periodical structure, determined by long spacing, was nearly the same in all the different types of fibres. A slight increase was observed after the treatment of viscose and modal fibres, but an unpronounced fall of a long period accompanied the pre-treatment of lyocell fibres. Some changes in crystallinity and crystalline orientation occurred due to the treatment conditions. The structural changes were correlated to the iodinesorption and mechanical properties.
Keywords: regenerated cellulose fibres, fibre structure, fibre properties, x-ray analysis, WAXS, SAXS, cellulose pre-treatment
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1964; Downloads: 85
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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of selective oxidation on the surface properties of cotton cellulose fibres. Four different methods to evaluate the accessibility, nature and content of ionisable acidic groups (charge) in the fibres were applied: potentiometric and conductometric titrations, polyelectrolyte adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results from this combination of methods show that two processes take place when the oxidation method is applied: elimination of low molecular mass non-cellulosic compounds and formation of new acidic groups in the cellulose chains. Which of these processes is predominating depends on oxidation time, but the first one is initially more important. Polyelectrolyte adsorption and XPS show that the surface concentration of acidic groups is considerably lower than the bulk concentration, i.e. during oxidation the content of carboxyl groups in the surface region decreases, while it increases in amorphous regions. The decrease is due to the dissolution of low molecular weight compounds; the increase is due to the formation of new acidic groups. The use of titration methods in combination with XPS appears to be a very useful tool for identification of the formation and distribution of ionic groups in cotton fibres and their surfaces.
Keywords: textile fibres, cotton fibres, cellulose fibres, oxidation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS, acid groups in fibres
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 2121; Downloads: 114
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Abstract: Release of formaldehyde from durable press-treated fabrics is a problem for human health and safety because formaldehyde is suspected to be carcinogenic. The accuracy of the standard test method for the free formaldehyde determination, Japan Law 112, depends on the formaldehyde content of the sample. The detection of low formaldehyde contents is particularly important in fields, like children clothing, so the application of high-performance liquid chromatography was evaluated. The results obtained by the standard testmethod, Japan Law 112, where UV/Vis spectrometer was used, were compared with the results obtained by HPLC method in which separation was performed on an RP C18 column with water-methanol as a mobile phase. It was shown that the detection limit and limit of quantification were improved using the HPLC method.
Keywords: analizna kemija, formaldehid, določevanje formaldehida, celulozna vlakna, HPLC, UV/VIS, analytical chemistry, formaldehyde, determination of formaldehyde, cellulose fibres, HPLC, UV/VIS
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 2549; Downloads: 114
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