Rendering cellulose fibers antimicrobial using cationic β-cyclodextrin-based polymers included with antibiotics

Cationic β-cyclodextrin polymer (CPβCD) and its complexes with butylparaben and triclosan were reported in this paper. 2D NMR confirmed that the host-guest complexes were formed by including antibiotics inside the cavities of CPβCDs, which significantly improved the water solubility of the antibiotics. Results of inhibition zones and shaking flask methods of antimicrobial-modified cellulose fibres showed that both antibiotics/CPβCD complexes had excellent antimicrobial activities when applying on the cellulose fibers whereas triclosan appeared to more effective. Morphology of untreated and treated bacteria revealed by AFM suggested that the antibiotics/CPβCD complexes inhibited bacteria through affecting the metabolism of the bacteria instead of damaging the cell membrane. Due to the strong electrostatic association, CPβCD polymers adsorbed on the surface of cellulose fibres almost completely within the range of dosages investigated.