The development of an antimicrobial coating for fabric and surfaces

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Giftgowns, a Toronto-based company, manufactures and sells comfortable, stylized hospital gowns for consumers to bring with them to the hospital or give as a gift to friends or loved ones staying in the hospital. The gowns are popular but, unlike the standard issue, utilitarian "blue hospital gowns", which are washed and sterilized every day, they may be more susceptible to healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) as they may not be washed as frequently during a patient's hospital stay. Many specialized gown manufacturers are in the same situation as Giftgowns in that they lack the anti-microbial properties which would provide peace of mind to patients requiring long hospital stays. Giftgowns approached Seneca's School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry to help them solve the challenge of providing anti-bacterial properties to their gowns. Seneca and Giftgowns collaborated with funding through an NSERC Engage for Colleges grant to develop an anti-bacterial prototype spray, which was developed from the encapsulation of essential oils (EO), specifically thymol (a major component of oregano EO) into nano-particles. In this follow up work, two research assistants (RAs) from Seneca School of Biological Science and Applied Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Barkev Keoshkerian and Professor Frank Merante will investigate the efficacy of other essential oils, as well as other experimental extracts, which will result in more effective and persistent anti-microbial properties. This follow on research project is designed with the purpose of developing a simple, scalable and cost efficient nanofabricated-particle that can function as an anti-microbial carrier and controlled release vehicle using sustainable, eco-friendly, anti-microbial materials. This product, and the processes needed to manufacture and apply it, will be a new, enhanced offering for Giftgowns.