Cotton is the most commonly used fabric by consumers owing to its comfort, absorbency, and softness. It has been utilized for diversified clothing applications, including medical fabric. In the case of medical fabric, the probability of getting affected by bacterial infections is very high. These bacteria can survive for lengthy periods on hospital materials such as hospital privacy drapes, scrub suits, and lab coats[1]. Nowadays, much research is focused on eliminating infections on natural textiles, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains[2]. Numerous studies have shown that nanoparticles have a strong capacity to resist microbial activity entirely [3].On the other hand, finishing cotton fabric with nanoparticles is a major challenge. It has inherent limitations in terms of fixation of or adherence of nanoparticles to the surface of the fabric[4]. To overcome this limitation, surface enrichment or modification of cotton textiles through a cross-linking agent has become necessary [5]. According to Liberato et al. DMDHEU easy care finish exhibits exceptional cross-linking performance with natural fibre cost-effectively; nonetheless, the potential health and environmental risks of formaldehyde release are inevitable. So, various researchers have investigated polycarboxylic-based acetic compounds such as 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as commercially viable cross-linking compounds [6]. Traditionally, cross-linking was done with compounds that release formaldehyde, which is not environmentally friendly. If a green cross-linking agent such as BTCA (Butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid) is used, it helps to better fix the nanoparticle onto the surface of the material without harming the ecosystem.
BTCA was used as a cross-linking agent to improve some of the desirable properties of the fibre, and it was discovered that a 10% (W/W) BTCA treatment considerably improved the drapability, crease recovery, and tensile strength of cross-linked cotton fabric[7]. According to Yang etal. BTCA, in conjunction with sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2), can give satisfactory bonding performance with cotton materials[8]. Markovic has successfully proved that BTCA-based polycarboxylic acid and precursor salt CuSO4 supported the even distribution of nanoparticles over the larger textile substrate[9].Sharafetal. applied the Cu nanoparticles after the cross-linking cotton fabric with BTCA and found that cross-linking not only improved the durability and easy care property of treated fabric but also improved the thermal stability of the fabric, and this functionalized fabric showed maximum antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. It was further noted that BTCA produced a multifunctional textile product for smart applications [10]. A surface active agent is very important during the nanoparticle coating of the cotton fabric. Xu et al.reported an improvement in the absorbability of copper nanoparticles by cotton fabric when treated with thioglycolic acid in the presence of citric acid. This process increased the thermal stability of the treated fabric and gave outstanding laundering durability of the nanoparticle coating to several washes [11].
In order to treat textile material with natural antibacterial and antifungal agents and move towards sustainable techniques, lost plant-based sources were used. Atal safaa. said that Annona squamosa leaves contain phytochemicals such as cyclopeptides, alkaloids, diterpenes, and acetogenins. These phytochemicals are employed in a variety of medical applications, including immunomodulatory, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, and antidiabetic treatments[12]. A range of phytoconstituents found in Annona squamosa seeds are the main source of synthesis of nano compounds[13].Manisha etal. noted that Annona squamosa leaves were traditionally used to treat a variety of conditions, including fever, vomiting, wound infections, dysentery, tumours, hypertension, thyroid, acne, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, hair loss, dandruff, bleeding, sores infected by maggots, coughing, and inflammation[14].Mariya Malik and others. Annona squamosa leaves were used to synthesize the liver nanoparticle, which was found to have antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic properties[15]. Hussein Jihan and others. It has been reported that leaves of Moringa Oleiferara exhibit pharmacological activity and a range of therapeutic qualities for venomous bites, stiffness, diabetes mellitus, hepatotoxicity, anti-ulcer, diuretic, and antibacterial effects, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Additionally, they created gold nanoparticles for a range of biological uses[16]. Using Moringa Oleiferara leaves, Gufran et al. synthesised green silver nanoparticles that have antifungal and anticancer properties[17].Parkash et al. used Moringa Oleiferara leaf to create an aqueous decoction that is enhanced with bioactive chemicals for medicinal use[18].Manosi etal. Synthesised Selenium nanoparticles by combining Sodium Selenite solution with Moringa Oleiferara leaf extract. The resultant material was able to affect Phaseolus vulgaris growth[19].The present investigation was carried out to determine the effect of BTCA cross-linking agents on the antibacterial and comfort properties of fabrics treated with annona squamosa and moringa Oleiferara leaves extracts.