Creation of a violacein pigment hybrid with silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles to produce multifunctional textiles with antimicrobial properties

Objective(s): Nowadays, with the increase of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the number of death-related nosocomial infections, in addition to observing health protocols, the production and spread of these infectious agents could be prevented by producing antimicrobial fabrics for hospital textiles. Methods: In this study, Janthinobacterium lividum was grown in the culture medium with suitable pigment production conditions, and then the produced violacein pigment was extracted from the culture media. The dyed fabrics were coated with two types of nanoparticles that are widely used and suitable for hospital usage. The two nanoparticles include silver nanoparticles that had antibacterial activity and titanium dioxide nanoparticles that possess anti-stain and self-cleaning properties. The fabrics were then examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy scattering analysis, and micrographs and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDAX) analysis were obtained from these samples. In order to analyze the structure of violacein and confirmation of dyeing, as well as proving the hybridization of the dye and nanoparticles through functional groups, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used. The antibacterial activity of the fabrics was also evaluated. Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDAX methods showed that these nanoparticles were well-positioned on textile fibers, and the size and distribution of nanoparticles were determined. FTIR spectroscopy showed that silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles formed a hybrid with violacein. Also, the antibacterial properties of dyed fabrics, along with hybrid fabrics, were investigated. The results indicated that the fabric dyed with violacein had special antibacterial activity, which increased with the degree of hybridization with nanoparticles. Conclusions: The production of a natural antibacterial dye by employing biotechnological techniques with therapeutic properties could pave the way for designing new antibacterial fabrics for hospitals to overcome bacterial resistance.