Antimicrobial activity of cotton fibres treated with particles extracted from citrus plants: a review

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology in textile sector for the fabrication of functional textiles with different properties such as antibacterial, hydrophobicity, UV-protection, flame retardancy, anti-static and self-cleaning. In current COVID-19 crises, the development of antimicrobial textiles through the deposition of nanoparticles has emerged as a research subject of particular interest. Recently, the green-synthesis of nanoparticles from plant extracts has become an effective alternative to conventional physical and chemical synthesis methods due to being environmentally benign and nontoxic. In this review article, the significance of nanotechnology in antibacterial finishing of textiles, mechanism of antibacterial activity of nanoparticles, significance of green synthesis methods for nanoparticles have been discussed. The green-synthesis of different nanoparticles from the citrus plant extracts and their application on textiles for imparting antibacterial activity is reviewed in particular. The chemical composition of citrus plant extracts and their role as bioreductants in the synthesis of nanoparticles is also highlighted. Moreover, different qualitative and quantitative standard testing protocols employed for the antimicrobial characterization of plant extracts and textiles have been discussed. The major challenges and limitations associated with the plant-based biosynthesis of nanoparticles have also been highlighted.