Bacteriocin Based Antimicrobials for Textile Applications

Antimicrobial treatments have been incorporated in a number of textile products used by the U.S. Army to control odor and reduce skin irritation, thus improving the quality of life for the warfighters. Current textile treatment using chemically-derived antimicrobials such as metals (silver- and copper-based compounds), polyphenols, halamines and quaternary ammonium compounds can effectively kill odor-generating Corynebacteria and skin-itching Staphylococcus aureus, however they also have significant drawbacks. To address this issue, Luna is developing a narrow-spectrum antimicrobial textile coating product based on bacteriocin molecules with proven potency and specificity and Luna"s existing polymer coating technique. During the three-phase program, Luna plans to prove its concept through testing bacteriocin antimicrobial potency and specificity in a solution-based system in Phase I. The lead bacteriocin, hemolytic and cytoxicity activities, skin permeability and production scalability, will be established. During Phase II, the bacteriocin production and coating on fabrics will be optimized and prototype fabrics will be developed and evaluated, followed by integrating with current antimicrobial textiles and evaluating for commercialization in Phase III. The project will result in antimicrobial textiles with controlled skin irritation and malodor, thereby improving the life quality of warfighters.