Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using polymers with antibacterial and antifungal properties; therefore, the present review is focused on the effect of natural compounds on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of polyurethane (PUR). This topic is important because materia...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2533 |
| _version_ | 1797408402982305792 |
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| author | Natalia Sienkiewicz Sylwia Członka |
| author_facet | Natalia Sienkiewicz Sylwia Członka |
| author_sort | Natalia Sienkiewicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using polymers with antibacterial and antifungal properties; therefore, the present review is focused on the effect of natural compounds on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of polyurethane (PUR). This topic is important because materials and objects made with this polymer can be used as antibacterial and antifungal ones in places where hygiene and sterile conditions are particularly required (e.g., in healthcare, construction industries, cosmetology, pharmacology, or food industries) and thus can become another possibility in comparison to commonly used disinfectants, which mostly show high toxicity to the environment and the human health. The review presents the possibilities of using natural extracts as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral additives, which, in contrast to the currently used antibiotics, have a much wider effect. Antibiotics fight bacterial infections by killing bacteria (bactericidal effect) or slowing and stopping their growth (bacteriostatic effect) and effect on different kinds of fungi, but they do not fight viruses; therefore, compounds of natural origin can find wide use as biocidal substances. Fungi grow in almost any environment, and they reproduce easily in dirt and wet spaces; thus, the development of antifungal PUR foams is focused on avoiding fungal infections and inhibiting growth. Polymers are susceptible to microorganism adhesion and, consequently, are treated and modified to inhibit fungal and bacterial growth. The ability of micro-organisms to grow on polyurethanes can cause human health problems during the use and storage of polymers, making it necessary to use additives that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:57:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d7e10dc9bc034c4f8c3a1e7e728fe038 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:57:58Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-d7e10dc9bc034c4f8c3a1e7e728fe0382023-12-03T14:18:22ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-06-011413253310.3390/polym14132533Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial ActivityNatalia Sienkiewicz0Sylwia Członka1Institute of Polymer & Dye Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 90-537 Lodz, PolandInstitute of Polymer & Dye Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 90-537 Lodz, PolandIn recent years, there has been a growing interest in using polymers with antibacterial and antifungal properties; therefore, the present review is focused on the effect of natural compounds on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of polyurethane (PUR). This topic is important because materials and objects made with this polymer can be used as antibacterial and antifungal ones in places where hygiene and sterile conditions are particularly required (e.g., in healthcare, construction industries, cosmetology, pharmacology, or food industries) and thus can become another possibility in comparison to commonly used disinfectants, which mostly show high toxicity to the environment and the human health. The review presents the possibilities of using natural extracts as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral additives, which, in contrast to the currently used antibiotics, have a much wider effect. Antibiotics fight bacterial infections by killing bacteria (bactericidal effect) or slowing and stopping their growth (bacteriostatic effect) and effect on different kinds of fungi, but they do not fight viruses; therefore, compounds of natural origin can find wide use as biocidal substances. Fungi grow in almost any environment, and they reproduce easily in dirt and wet spaces; thus, the development of antifungal PUR foams is focused on avoiding fungal infections and inhibiting growth. Polymers are susceptible to microorganism adhesion and, consequently, are treated and modified to inhibit fungal and bacterial growth. The ability of micro-organisms to grow on polyurethanes can cause human health problems during the use and storage of polymers, making it necessary to use additives that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2533polyurethane foamsantibacterial propertiesnatural additives |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Sienkiewicz Sylwia Członka Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity Polymers polyurethane foams antibacterial properties natural additives |
| title | Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity |
| title_full | Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity |
| title_fullStr | Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity |
| title_short | Natural Additives Improving Polyurethane Antimicrobial Activity |
| title_sort | natural additives improving polyurethane antimicrobial activity |
| topic | polyurethane foams antibacterial properties natural additives |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2533 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nataliasienkiewicz naturaladditivesimprovingpolyurethaneantimicrobialactivity AT sylwiaczłonka naturaladditivesimprovingpolyurethaneantimicrobialactivity |