Production and characterization of commercial softeners having antimicrobial properties

Although the interest in antimicrobial materials has existed for a long time, after the COVID-19 pandemic that has developed in our country and all over the world, it has increased even more and consumers have begun to be more interested in products with antimicrobial properties. Due to that interest, many studies regarding the production of products with antimicrobial properties have been carried out and continued in the textile sector. For this purpose, present thesis study has been carried out with the idea of applying the softening finishing processes, which have an important part in textile finishing, in a way that will give the textile products antimicrobial properties. In the thesis study, by using water and methanol as solvents, the extract having the highest antimicrobial activity of the bitter melon was determined and the hydrophilic silicone softener was produced with this extract. The produced softener was applied to %100 cotton knitted fabrics. The fabric performances were investigated via hydrophility, bursting strength, bending rigidity, subjective handle tests, whiteness degree and CIEL*a*b* color values. In addition, the antibacterial activities of the fabrics and softeners were carried out.