Green Textile Finishing: Utilisation of Vetiver Extract for Antimicrobial Home Textile Applications
Krishnaveni Vasudevan *
Department of Fashion Technology, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Home textiles represent one of the fastest-growing segments within the technical textile industry. The home-tech sector includes textile materials intended for household and hygiene-related uses, where sustainability and safety are key requirements. Growing consumer awareness regarding health and cleanliness has increased the demand for textile products with built-in antimicrobial functionality. Among natural plant resources, Vetiveria zizanioides is an abundant and valuable source known for its strong fibres, pleasant fragrance, and inherent antimicrobial properties. In this study, extracts were prepared from Vetiveria zizanioides powder using a suitable solvent system. The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and chemical component analysis, followed by evaluation of its antimicrobial potential against selected standard microorganisms. Both qualitative and quantitative antifungal tests were conducted on treated fabrics against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, while antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), representing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of vetiver-based treatments and highlight their potential application in medical and home textile products.
Keywords: Vetiveria zizanioides, antimicrobial, microorganisms, home textiles