Dyeing of m-Aramid Fibers in Ionic Liquids.

Aramids represent a class of high-performance fibers with outstanding properties and manifold technical applications, e.g., in flame-retardant protective clothing for firefighters and soldiers.

Permanent flame retardant finishing of textiles by allyl-functionalized polyphosphazenes.

Despite their excellent flame retardant properties, polyphosphazenes are currently not used as flame retardant agents for textile finishing, because a permanent fixation on the substrate surface has failed so far. Here, we present the successful synthesis and characterization of a noncombustible and foam-forming polyphosphazene derivative, that can be immobilized durably on cotton and different cotton/polyester blended fabrics using photoinduced grafting reactions. The flame retardant properties are improved, a higher limiting oxygen index is found, and the modified textiles pass several standardized flammability tests.

Anticandidal action of fungal chitosan against Candida albicans.

The anticandidal activity of four fungal chitosan types, produced from Mucor rouxii DSM-1191, against three Candida albicans strains was determined. The most bioactive chitosan type, to inhibit C. albicans growth, had the lowest molecular weight (32 kDa) and the highest deacetylation degree (94%).

Inhibition of microbial pathogens by fungal chitosan.

Four fungal chitosan types (CTS) were prepared from Mucor rouxii DSM 1191 and examined for their physico-chemical characteristics. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan types against 11 bacterial strains, including six pathogens, was investigated and the most effective type was chitosan No. 3 which was characterized with the lowest viscosity and molecular weight (3.

Functional group analysis on oxidized surfaces of synthetic textile polymers.

A comprehensive collection of wet-chemical analyses of functional groups on oxidatively treated surfaces of hydrophobic polymers like poly(ethylene terephthalate) or polyolefine is presented. New methods are introduced. Textiles and foils have been subjected to advanced oxidation processes and the different oxygen functions have been quantified.

Functionalization of catalase for a photochemical immobilization on poly(ethylene terephthalate).

The enzyme catalase (EC 1.11.1.

Antimycotic influence of beta-cyclodextrin complexes--in vitro measurements using laser nephelometry in microtiter plates.

To determine the in vitro susceptibility of fungal organisms to beta-cyclodextrin (CD) complexes with the antifungal agents econazole-nitrate (EC) and ciclopirox-olamine (CI), a fast, rapid and simple method using laser nephelometry in 96-microtiter plate is used. The antimycotic influence of the complexes against Candida albicans DSM 11225 and Candida krusei ATCC 6258 species was determined using this method. A rapid inhibition and even killing of both fungi was observed only above certain concentrations of complex ranged between 12.

Quantitative analysis of immobilized metalloenzymes by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

A new, sensitive assay for the quantitative determination of immobilized metal containing enzymes has been developed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). In contrast with conventionally used indirect methods the described quantitative AAS assay for metalloenzymes allows more exact analyses, because the carrier material with the enzyme is investigated directly. As an example, the validity and reliability of the method was examined by fixing the iron-containing enzyme catalase on cotton fabrics using different immobilization techniques.