Researchers announce the development of antibacterial fibers impregnated with a compound extracted from red algae

Oct 1, 2014 20:03 GMT  ·  By

Forget Paris Fashion Week or other posh gatherings that are all about all sorts of people strutting around in one designer or another's latest creations.

As it turns out, it's science that holds the key to the clothes of the future, and – take our word for it –, there are some really cool outfits in sight.

Not to beat about the bush, a recent paper authored by researchers with The Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden documents the development of a new generation of fibers impregnated with a compound extracted from red algae.

This compound, known to the scientific community as lanosol, has antimicrobial properties. Hence, the scientists behind this one-of-a-kind research project say that the fibers that contain it in their makeup are antibacterial as well.

For those unaware, human sweat is pretty much odorless at the time it leaves the body. It is only after coming into contact with bacteria living on skin and on clothes and being broken down by these microorganisms that it starts to reek.

Hence, it's safe to assume that, were we all to start wearing antibacterial clothing, bus rides in the summer time and going to the gym would be much more pleasant experiences than they currently are.

Nothing new about antibacterial textiles

This might come as a bit of a surprise to some people, but as it turns out, antibacterial textiles have been around for quite a while now. The problem is that, to create such materials, scientists have until now relied heavily on silver ions.

As shown by several studies, silver constitutes a threat to human genetic material, embryonic development, and reproduction. Consequently, there aren't a whole lot of people in this world who are big fans of the idea to use silver ions to make antibacterial textiles.

Solving the problem

Looking to make antibacterial and odor-free clothing a wee safer, researchers at The Royal Institute of Technology turned their attention to bio-compatible fibers, which they combined with red algae-based antimicrobial compound lanosol and spun into fibers.

“Electrospinning produces quite thin thread, with a thickness on the order of one-hundreth of a human hair,” scientist Mikael Hedenqvist said in a statement. “The substance [lanosol] is a good alternative to particle-based antibacterials for clothing, as well as compresses or bandages,” he added.

By the looks of it, antibacterial fibers made with the help of this compound extracted from red algae form no lumps and bumps when put together, which means that the lanosol does not in any way affect their mechanical properties.

This makes them a worthy alternative to antibacterial textiles created with the help of silver ions. More so given the fact that the compound appears to have no trouble being impregnated in the thread in a uniform fashion.

Potential uses for this technology

Specialist Mikael Hedenqvist and fellow researchers say that, although further studies are needed, there might come a day when such antibacterial textiles are used to make air filters and clothing worn by hospital staff. As explained by these scientists, this would make it easier to keep bacteria from spreading.

“Hospitals are constantly striving to have as antiseptic environment as possible. But we’re not there yet,” the scientist commented on the importance of this research project and on the need to continue studying antibacterial materials.

All this sounds really great, but truth be told, chances are laypeople will be much more impressed when this technology is used to roll out clothes that don't stink. With a little bit of luck, it might not be very long until this happens.

Close-up of the antibacterial fiber created by the KTH scientists
Close-up of the antibacterial fiber created by the KTH scientists

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Stinky socks might soon be a thing of the past
Close-up of the antibacterial fiber created by the KTH scientists
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