Modification of nonwoven fabrics with chlorhexidine to impart antibacterial properties

This paper addresses the possibility of modifying the Holofiber® nonwoven fabrics with a 0.05% solution of chlorhexidine bigluconate in order to impart antimicrobial properties, since these materials are planned for medical use, in particular wound dressings. One stage in the development of a wound dressing based on nonwoven Holofiber® involved its impregnation with chlorhexidine by spraying a solution using a spray gun; the solution accumulated on the surface of the nonwoven fabrics in the form of drops. The agent was applied on both sides of samples having dimensions of 210×297 mm. Samples following impregnation were dried to a constant weight. The drying time of Holofiber® VOLUMETRIC P 84 amounted to 10 min. The antibacterial properties of modified nonwoven fabrics were evaluated by the following methods: modified disc diffusion (DDM) method, measurement of antibacterial activity on the surface of plastics and other non-porous materials, ISO-22196. The inhibition zone of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria for Holofiber® nonwoven fabrics treated with 0.05% chlorhexidine bigluconate solution amounted to 17 mm, which indicates the bactericidal properties of the studied material. In addition, it was confirmed by a decrease in the number of bacteria following the 24-hour incubation of a test microorganism in the presence of a polymer. The percentage of Staphylococcus aureus cell death equalled 99%. These results indicate that the nonwoven Holofiber® fabrics can be treated with a solution of chlorhexidine bigluconate 0.05% to impart antibacterial properties, since the substance used for treating a sample remains in the material following drying and exhibits an antibacterial effect.