Research of antibacterial properties of denim fabric treated with microencapsulation of medical mint oil (Mentha piperita)

Endemic plants and essential oils have many uses, mainly in scientific and commercial areas. In today's world, the use of essential oils is expanding with the increase in interest and demand for the naturalness. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the various performance properties and antibacterial features of the fabric by application of volatile peppermint oil microcapsules to denim fabrics. 'Mentha piperita' volatile oil is used as mint oil and three different microencapsulation techniques which are simple coaservation, interfacial polymerization and microfluidic device. The performance characteristics such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance, dry and wet rubbing fastness, color difference, and also antibacterial activity of denim fabric samples were determined with the help of various tests. In addition, 1, 5 and 10 home washings were performed on fabrics to observe the continuity of antibacterial properties. When the results were analyzed, it was understood from the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope images that the volatile mint oil microcapsules were obtained successfully in all of the three methods. For the iv forementioned performance characteristics, results obtained close to each other with untreated fabric and also the values are acceptable. It has been found that the fabrics have 100% antibacterial effect on the finished and 1 household washings but have a tendency to decrease depending on washing cycles. When the 1, 5 and 10 household washes were taken into consideration, the highest antibacterial activity was obtained by the mint oil microcapsules obtained using the microfluidic device. KEYWORDS: Microencapsulation, Mint Oil, Mentha piperita, Denim, Antibacterial Activity.