GB2527849A - Fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

An antibacterial fabric having at least a first and second layers, which are a first layer for contact with the human skin and a second layer opposed to the first layer, wherein the second layer and optionally the first layer comprises antibacterial copper ions, wherein the second layer comprises antibacterial copper ions in a concentration higher than that of the first layer. The first layer may comprise a material with hydrophilic groups which are capable of absorbing moisture from the skin. The first layer may comprise cellulose or bamboo viscose. The second layer may be formed of fibres which are coated with copper ions or contain copper ions. The first layer may be a non-woven fabric, such as a knitted fabric. The antibacterial fabric may be used as a wound dressing or an article of clothing. The fabric when used in a wound dressing may be used for the promotion of wound healing or treatment of bacterial infection such as MRSA.

Description

Fabric

Technical field

This invention relates to a type of functional fabric, specifically relating to a new type of antibacterial fabric.

Background to the Invention

Of the various antibacterial fabrics available on the market presently, all involve a chemical reaction between an antibacterial agent within the fabric and the bacteria on the surface of the skin, or they involve a physical effect to achieve the required antibacterial effect. The drawback with these approaches is that the antibacterial effect mainly occurs on the surface of the skin, whilst after the antibacterial process has taken place an accumulation of residue remains on the surface of the skin; in the case that there is a wound on the surface of the body, the use of such types of antibacterial fabric does not aid in accelerating healing of the wound.

Summary of Invention

The invention is an antibacterial fabric comprising two layers, a first layer for contact with the human skin; and a second layer disposed upon the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises antibacterial copper ions.

Thus the fabric according to the invention is formed of two layers, which usually are integral to form a single-ply fabric, having different properties. One surface of the fabric will have a greater concentration of copper ions than the opposing surface. This is normally due to the production method of the fabric (which is often a knitting method) being such that the fabric is formed of two different types of fibre and such that one type of fibre predominantly forms the first surface and the second type of fibre predominantly forms the second surface.

The multi-layer antibacterial fabric can be formed of multiple adjacent and separate plies of fabric, for instance, which are made separately and then connected together. However, preferably the fabric is a single integral ply in which the first and second layers are intermeshed, but producing first and second surfaces having different properties by virtue of their different content of copper ions.

Specifically the fabric is preferably formed by a non-woven production method.

Preferably the fabric is a knitted fabric. Such methods allow a single integral fabric ply to be formed in which the properties at one surface are different from the properties at the opposed surface. This can be done by choice of the production method, which can allow fibres of one type to predominantly form one surface and fibres of another type to predominantly form the opposed surface.

Preferably the fabric is formed of at least two different fibre types. The first fibre type predominantly forms the first layer and the second fibre type predominantly forms the second layer. By "predominantly" it is meant that preferably the relevant layer is made up of at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, of the relevant fibre type.

Preferably, the first layer which is to be contacted with the skin is hydrophilic in nature. Thus cotton and viscose, such as bamboo viscose, are preferred fibre types for formation of this layer.

as Fibres predominantly for use in forming the second layer comprise copper ions.

They may be coated with copper ions or the copper ions may be included within the fibres.

Preferably the fibres forming the second layer are synthetic fibres, for instance polyester. Other synthetic fibres which can be used include acrylic fibres, polyolefin fibres, polyurethane fibres, vinyl fibres, nylon fibres and combinations thereof.

Thus as an example a knitted fabric is made in which fibres forming the second layer, and the outer surface of the fabric when in use, constitute about 20% bamboo viscose (or cotton) and 80% polyester impregnated (or coated) with copper ions. In contrast, the first layer, which forms the first surface for contact with the human skin, is formed of 80% of the hydrophilic fibres and 20% if the copper-containing fibres.

The basis weight of the fabric may be in any suitable range for the intended application, for instance in the range 100 to 300 g/m2, preferably 120 to 270 g/ni2.

Production of the copper ion-containing fibres may for instance be done using a method which comprises the following steps: (a) Contacting fibres with copper sulphate at elevated temperature; (b) Extracting the fibres from the mixture; (c) Spinning the fibres into yarn comprising Cu(ll) ions.

Where fibres are formed by contacting them with copper sulphate at elevated temperature, a copper (II) chelate is added in order to chelate to the copper ions.

The chelate can be selected from the group consisting of EDIA, EDIPO, NTA, DOYTA and combinations thereof.

The high temperature step can be carried out at a temperature of at least 6000, in particular 70°C to 120°C, preferably 80°C to 100°C. It is preferably carried out for 90 to 120 minutes.

One method for preparing fabric that contains copper ions is described in CNI 11861 BA. Other methods may be used.

is The copper ion-containing fibres preferably comprise at least 2 wt% copper ions.

More preferably the fibres comprise at least 2.5 wt% or 3 wt% or 3.5 wt% copper ions. The percentage for any given fibre is the mass ot copper ions based on the total mass of fibre.

Preferably the fibres comprise no more than 20 wt% copper ions. Alternatively, the fibres comprise no more than 15 wt% copper ions. Most preferably the fibres comprise no more than 10 wt% copper ions or no more than 6 wt% copper ions.

It is possible for the fibres to comprise up to 90 wt% copper ions or even up to wt% or 50 wt% or up to 30 wt%. However, it is generally preferred to keep the percentage of copper ions in the fibres as low as possible so as to keep the manufacturing costs to a minimum whilst still achieving the desirable effects.

Fibres comprising copper ions can be formed into yarn, which is then formed into fabric. A yarn is generally spun from 100 wt% of fibres comprising copper ions.

It is, alternatively, possible for the fibres to be formed into fabric directly, without preforming a yarn.

This invention, being a new type of antibacterial fabric, is an antibacterial composite fabric with special fibres and structure; its physico-chemical properties cause injurious bacteria to be transferred and adsorbed by the external shell fabric and then destroyed, whilst the beneficial flora that are naturally contained within the body remain relatively unaffected.

The functional fabric has been invented with the characteristics of human skin in mind, the surface of human skin having a protective oil layer, symbiotic bacteria in the human body generally being covered by this oil where not disturbed by external influences. The general growth process of invasive bacteria being: adhesion -suspension of dormancy -growth -reproduction -diffusion.

Due to the insoluble antibacterial copper ions within this fabric, during the process by which exogenous flora adhere and grow the effect on the mercapto groups and peptidoglycan in the bacteria cell-membranes results in the microbes being deactivated. When the body secretes moisture, the adsorption of the fibres as of the inner layer of the fabric and the capillary action of the fibres of the external layer results in the deactivated flora being transferred into the inner layer of the fabric, thus removing it from the skin.

There are many hydrophilic groups within the molecular structure of the fibres of the inner, first layer of this functional fabric, allowing adsorption of large quantities of moisture, microscopic dust and bacteria; the outer layer of the fabric consists of insoluble antibacterial copper ion fibres, which adsorb large quantities of moisture from the inner layer of the fabric, transferring this and dispersing it onto the outer surface of the fabric; this evaporates rapidly from the external surface of the fabric at the same time as causing transference of the bacteria from the surface of the skin to the outer layer of the fabric, and, having left the skin, this is then destroyed and deactivated at the outer layer of the fabric, at the same time causing exogenous deactivated flora to remain in the outer layer of the fabric.

The ongoing process as described above causes the skin to have a normal microbial environment, whilst exogenous flora that has been deactivated is transferred to the outer layer of the fabric, preventing it from affecting the normal metabolism of the skin.

In terms of the fabric structure and functionality of this functional fabric, this functional fabric consists of two layers: the inner layer typically consists of cellulose fibres, which are hydrophilic, adsorbent and which function by transferring bacteria; the outer layer consists of insoluble antibacterial copper ion fibres, which rapidly conduct, disperse and allow evaporative drying and sterilisation in addition to retaining non-active exogenous flora.

Principles and characteristics of the insoluble antibacterial copper ion fibres: The insoluble antibacterial copper ion nano precious metal particles enter the bacteria cells directly and combine with oxygen metabolising enzymes (-SH), causing suffocation of the bacteria; they are also capable of reacting with the peptidoglycan exposed in the cell walls of the bacteria, generating plastic compounds, which prevents pathogenic bacteria activity, and killing the pathogenic bacteria.

is See Figure 1.

DNA combining: Insoluble antibacterial copper ion precious metals are capable of combining with the DNA of bacteria or pathogenic spores, the precious metal copper particles combining with the DNA nucleobases to form cross connections, thus displacing the hydrogen bonds between adjacent nitrogen within purine and pyridine, resulting in distortion of the pathogenic DNA structure, suppressing DNA replication and causing deactivation of the bacteria.

See Figure 2.

The insoluble antibacterial copper ions are nano-complex copper, which is capable of killing over 650 types of pathogen within a matter of minutes, including bacteria, fungi, moulds, spores and so on, thus having a broad-spectrum antibacterial function.

A unique antibacterial mechanism, which causes nano-complex copper particles at low concentrations (4ppm/L) to cause the rapid destruction of pathogens within a matter of minutes, resulting in an antibacterial rate as high as 99.9 %.

Standard organic antibacterial agents readily decompose gradually, resulting in their antibacterial effectiveness becoming reduced, to the point at which they become ineffective. When nano-complex copper is involved in killing microbes, the copper atoms are not consumed in any way, therefore the antibacterial effect is long-term; testing confirms that nano-complex copper left for a number of years still retains excellent antibacterial effectiveness (99.9 %).

S Nano-complex copper particles exhibit excellent ultra-high permeability, allowing them to rapidly infiltrate plant tissues and kill microbes; they exhibit an excellent sterilisation effect in terms of deep plant tissue infections with both common fungi and moulds.

Trace amounts of elemental copper are an important elemental component required by both animals and plants, whilst residues are not harmful to the human body. Neither do they form accumulations in conjunction with a variety of other biologically active components encountered in plants; as such they present no phytotoxicity, being completely excreted out of plants and resulting in no toxic side effects.

The "superbugs" that we commonly encounter now are in fact just a form of bug that is ultra-resistant to drugs. The antibacterial mechanism of precious metal copper is different to that of other organic agrochemicals, in that it does not cause moulds and fungi to develop drug resistance in the manner encountered with current drugs, therefore no drug-resistance problems arise and this cannot result in the creation of drug resistant strains.

The antibacterial effect of the new type of antibacterial fabric to which this invention relates occurs in the outer layer of fabric; after the antibacterial process has taken place residual material does not accumulate on the surface of the skin; when there is a wound on the body's surface, the use of this type of antibacterial fabric is beneficial in terms of making the wound heal more quickly.

Examples

Example 1

A cooling antibacterial fabric for use in summer, the tissue structure of the fabric relying on a composite tuck stitch and plain stitch structure, the outer layer of the fabric being insoluble antibacterial copper ion polyester filament fibres, the inner layer of the fabric being bamboo yarn, the density of the surface of the fabric being 1 30-140g/m2.

Example 2

An antibacterial fabric for use in leisure underwear, the tissue structure of the S fabric being a plaited structure, the outer layer of the fabric being insoluble antibacterial copper ion polyester filament fibres, the inner layer of the fabric being cotton yarn, the density of the surface of the fabric being 140-150g/m2.

Example 3

Fabric for use in thermal underwear, the fabric having a composite ribbed tissue structure, the outer layer of the fabric consisting of insoluble antibacterial copper ion polyester filament fibres, the inner layer of the fabric being cotton yarn, the density of the surface of the fabric being 240-250g/m2.

The performance of the three types of antibacterial fabric product mentioned in is the implementations after washing 50 times were as indicated in the following

table

Staphylococcus Pneumobacillu Increase in aureus s wound healing bacteriostasis % bacteriostasis efficiency % Implementation 1 »=99 »=99 »=30 Implementation 2 »=99 »=99 »=30 Implementation 3 »=99 »=99 »=30

Example 4

Studies to investigate the attachment of methicillin*resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to copper infused fabrics Qualitative microscopy studies were done to investigate the effects of varying pH and salt concentrations and the presence of chelators on the ability of bacteria a (epidemic strain of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (EMRSA) to bind to test fabrics. The effect on bacterial growth was not investigated in this study.

Sample Products: 4 fabric samples were used for testing: S * Orange bamboo viscose infused with copper ions (invention) * Blue bamboo viscose as a control (comparative) * Black nylon copper infused fabric (invention) * Black nylon as a control (comparative Experimental Protocols: SYTO 9 is a stain that fluoresces green when bound to nucleic add which can be used to stain live and dead bacteria and observed using epifluorescence microscopy.

Preparation of a range of phosphate bufferered salines (PBS) with varying pH (2.

11), salt concentrations(O.016M to IM sodium chloride NaCI) and two buffers containing metal ion chelators, EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and BCS (bathocuproine disulfonic add disodium salt) to remove copperUl) and copper(l) ions respectively which are summarised in Table 1.

Use of EHU microscope equipped with long working distance objectives to allow observation of thick, uneven surfaces of test samples. Episcopic differential interference microscopy (EDIC) and epifluorescence microscopy was done to visualise images of unstained and stained bacteria respectively on the fabric surface. Images were processed by Image Pro software and overlays of several images were done using Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 software to determine where the bacteria were located in relation to the fabric fibres. All images taken at 500 x magnification.

A bacterial cell is very small (ranging from 0.5 to a few microns length (1 pm = 1/1000 of a mm)) and consists of an outer wall and membranes with the DNA inside this. This study used dyes to detect all bacterial cells, live and dead.

An 18 hour culture of actively growing methicillin-resistant Staph/ococcus aureus (NCTC 13143, epidemic strain 16) was prepared for all experiments.

Test procedures 1. Observation of bacterial attachment to test fabrics, including the S effect of varying pH and ionic strength a. Bacterial cells in 1 mL overnight culture were washed in PBS (phosphate buffered saline) to remove traces of growth medium. The cells were re-suspended in 0.5 mL of one of the buffers listed below in Table 1.

b. 5OpL of each bacterial suspension (approximately i08 bacteria (100 million)) was immediately inoculated onto the inner surface of 1 cm2 pieces of the fabric to be tested (this is the surface that would be next to the skin). The total contact time was 1 hour at room temperature (2100): c. Bacteria were stained with a DNA intercalating dye, SYTO 9, for the final 20 minutes. SYTO9 can cross the bacterial membrane and will stain all cells, live and dead, green. No investigations on the viability of the bacteria re-suspended in the test buffers were done; just observations on the positioning of the bacteria on the fibres of each fabric.

2. Observation of bacterial attachment to test fabrics over the first minutes using pre-stained cells (this method is not suitable for other buffers (2-8) because of the effect on the stain used) a) Bacteria prepared as described in la in buffer 1(PBS, physiological pH and salt concentration) b) Cells stained with SYTO 9 BEFORE being applied to fabric surface c) Location of stained bacteria recorded immediately and at 1, 2 and 5 minutes contact.

Table 1: Buffers used in the study m tSkt 1. PS pE12 O018M 2. PBS increased(pH 6.96) O.5M ionic strength Phih iorflpt6B) 1CM Hghostreigth strength celLs more hydrophobc 4. PBSacidcpH pH2(wthlMHCl) OfllBM Arninegroups charged t at low pH QO1OM Thflue-1cflldi sawMh my embstreevanUfor fabncadesiuned to txewèrri next to the 6. PBS alkaline pH pH 113 (with MDAJIOM Amino adds NaO H) kicreased -cha ge at high pH H H ØGI6MH H cqnaitir 20mM EDTA 8. PBS pH 72 O016M containing 20mM BOS Results: 1. Observation of bacterial attachment to test fabrics, including the effect of varying pH and ionic strength A. Orange bamboo viscose containing copper and bamboo viscose controls Buffer I PBS (O.016M NaCI, pH 7.2 physiological saline) See Figure 3 There is significantly more attachment of EMRSA to fibres of the copper fabric than to the control.

Buffer 2 PBS (O.5M NaCI, pH 7, increased ionic strength) See Figure 4 At high ionic strength there is less bacterial attachment to copper fabric. The difference between test and control fabrics is reduced.

Buffer 3 (PBS IM NaCI, pH 7, high ionic strength) See Figure 5 There is not much difference between Buffers 2 and 3 i.e. a high salt concentration reduces bacterial attachment to the copper tabric Buffer 4 PBS (pH 2, very acidic) See Figure 6 Bacterial overall charge at acid pH is positive. There is a large reduction in bacterial binding to the copper fabric compared to buffer 1. The cells can be seen in large clumps between the fibres and smaller ones along the fibres. There are fewer clumps on the control fabric suggesting the copper fabric may be having an effect i.e. repulsion between positive charged fabric surface and the now positively charged bacteria.

Buffer 5 PBS (pH 5.5, slightly acidic skin pH) See Figure 7 There are a few clumps of cells visible on the copper fabric because of the acidity but many bacteria are now clustered on the fabric fibres as in Buffer 1.

This is not occurring on the control fabric suggesting the copper ions are producing this effect.

Buffer 6 PBS (pH 11, very alkaline pH) See Figure 8 At high pH the bacterial surface is more negatively charged. Increased attachment of bacteria to the copper fabric can be observed which is not occurring in the control fabric.

This suggests the increased negatively charged bacteria are binding more tightly to the copper fabric.

Buffer 7 PBS containing chelator EDTA (20mM) See Figure 9 A chelating agent is a chemical that forms several bonds to a single metal ion to produce a chelate. They are commonly used in soaps to prevent precipitation of metal salts in hard waters and therapeutically to mop up' metal ions in cases of metal poisoning. EDTA is a chelator which binds to metal ions to form a stable complex which absorbs light at 450nm and is known to affect the outer membrane of Gram-negative cells and increase binding of SYTO 9.

This image show how 2 molecules of EDTA enclose a copper atom

E

Copper(ll) EDTA complex ion is a thermodynamically stable chelate complex.

Copper in solution usually exists as cupric ions, Cu(ll). If these ions are present in the fabric and it is these ions that are responsible for bacterial attraction to the fabric that has been observed, it may be expected that the EDTA will mask' the copper, reduce the charge and the bacteria will not bind.However, the results with MRSA, a Gram-positive bacterium (does not have an outer membrane) BRIGHTER staining was also observed on the test fabric and possibly INCREASED attachment. EDTA does increase the intensity of staining with SYTO 9 and images appear brighter with EDTA. The results suggest CuOl) are not responsible for the attraction of bacteria to the fibres.

Buffer 8 PBS containing chelator BCS (20mM) See Figure 10 Copper may also exist as the cuprous ion, Cu(l), which is very toxic and unstable. The presence of the chelator, BCS, appears to have affected attachment of the bacteria in test and control samples or have affected the stain, SYTO 9, itself because the intensity of staining was greatly reduced. Therefore it is not possible to accurately interpret these results and further studies are needed. However the slightly lower intensity may suggest CuO) is present on the fabric fibres but further work is needed.

B. Black copper nylon fabric and nylon control. Buffer I PBS (0.01 GM NaCI, pH 7.2, physiological saline) See Figure 11.

The hydrophilic nature of the black nylon copper fabric (bacterial inoculum drawn immediately into fabric) makes it duff cult to determine the location of the bacterial cells because the microscope used can only observe the fibres on the surface.

The experiment was repeated with all buffers but no significant difference was observed from Buffer 1 and the images are not included in this report. It is interesting to note that the nylon control supplied was hydrophobic (the bacterial inoculum remained on the surface of the fabric). The results do suggest that bacteria are not attracted to the copper nylon.

2. Observation of bacterial attachment to test fabrics over the first 5 minutes using pre-stained cells (this method is not suitable for other buffers(2-8) because of the effect on the stain used) See Figure 12.

This experiment demonstrates binding of bacteria to fabric over the first 5 minutes. Initially the stained bacteria are added and moving throughout the fabric. In the copper fabric an increasing attachment is observed over the first 5 minutes. There is some attachment to the control fabric but not to the extent as the copper containing bamboo viscose.

Conclusions

EDIC microscopy enables us to look at individual fibres of the test fabrics and controls and it may be possible to observe unstained bacteria. This is difficult if there are tiny particles the same sizes as bacteria in the specimen.

Epifluorescence microscopy allows observation of SYTO 9 stained bacteria (appear green') to actually pinpoint their position in the sample. The difference in hydrophobicity which may have affected the results and any antimicrobial properties which may have come from other constituents of the fabric were not investigated here.

Many factors influence the attachment of bacteria to soft and hard surfaces. This includes the electrostatic charge and structure of the bacteria which can be affected by pH and ionic strength of the environment. The hydrophobicity, texture and composition of the surface are also important.

At physiological pH and low salinity (pH 7.3, O.016M salt) bacteria have a predominant negative charge because of the phosphoryl groups in the bacterial cell wall and polysaccharides in the capsule (or lipopolysaccharide in GramS negative cells such as Esctiericliia co/i). If the bacteria are in an acidic environment this shifts the overall charge to positive. Likewise in alkaline conditions the charge will be strongly negative.

The test fabric contains copper ions and may give an overall positive charge to the fabric. In these preliminary tests the bacteria were inoculated onto the fabric in buffers with varying pH and salt concentration to see if the bacterial attraction to the fabric was affected. The results obtained demonstrated reduced binding of bacteria to the copper bamboo fabric in acid conditions, the cells clumped together between the fibres) and increased binding at high pH. At the slightly acid pH experienced on the skin surface bacterial attachment was still occurring although the negative charge of the bacterial cells will be less than at neutral pH.

Therefore the attachment of bacteria to the copper fabric is affected by electrostatic forces which may be due to the copper ions. Addition of the bacteria in various buffers to the fabric, which was washed off before staining, may also have affected the charge of the fabric itself. However, significant differences were seen between the test and control fabric suggesting the results are due to the presence of copper. It should be noted that the colour of the control blue bamboo viscose slightly affected the results i.e. a low level non-specific green staining was observed presumably from the blue colouration. The control fabric also differed in hydrophobicity from the copper test fabric.

These experiments did not work for the black nylon copper fabric and control because the bacteria were absorbed into the fabric it is difficult to say is bacteria were attracted to the fibres or not. The copper bamboo fabric in contrast was hydrophobic initially and the liquid inoculum was more slowly absorbed.

Increasing the ionic strength reduced the degree of binding of EMRSA to copper bamboo fabric, which was not affected in the control. This also suggests electrostatic forces are important in the bacterial attraction to the copper bamboo fabric. The high numbers of sodium and chloride ions swamp the fabric, shield charged groups reducing electrostatic forces and reducing bacterial binding to the same level as the control.

The inclusion of chelators, which mop up' positive ions, in two of the buffers, was also investigated. Results with EDTA suggested CuOl) ions were not responsible for the positive charge of the fabric because the number of bacteria binding to the fabric were not reduced if EDTA was present. However, if unknown factors are preventing access of the chelator to the ions this result may be misleading i.e. CuOl) may be there but we are not removing them with EDTA. Unfortunately the results with CuO) chelator were misleading because of the effect on the stain (dramatically reduced fluorescence). Further investigations are needed to determine if the CuO) ion is responsible for the positive charge of the copper bamboo fabric.

The results using preSYO 9 stained bacteria applied to copper bamboo fabric demonstrated how fast the bacteria bound to the fibres at neutral pH, within a few minutes which could be important if the fabric is to be used in patients with skin infections.

All work done in this study was conducted at room temperature (21°C) to get a close comparison to previously validated solid copper alloy experiments.

However fabrics that are designed for bedding or clothing will reach higher temperatures, between ambient and body temperature and therefore bacterial kill times may be faster.

Claims (13)

1. Claims 1. An antibacterial fabric having at least first and second layers, which are (a) a first layer for contact with the human skin; and (b) a second layer opposed to the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises antibacterial copper ions and the first layer optionally also comprises antibacterial copper ions, wherein the second layer comprises antibacterial copper ions in a concentration higher than the concentration of antibacterial copper ions in the first layer.
2. 2. An antibacterial fabric according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a material with hydrophilic groups which are capable of absorbing moisture from the skin.
3. 3. An antibacterial fabric according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the first layer comprises cellulose or bamboo viscose.
4. 4. An antibacterial fabric according to any preceding claim, wherein the second layer is predominantly formed of fibres which are coated with copper ions or contain copper ions.
5. 5. An antibacterial fabric according to any preceding claim, wherein the first layer comprises a non-woven material.
6. 6. An antibacterial fabric according to claim 5 in which the fabric is formed from fibres or yarn by a knitting method.
7. 7. A wound dressing comprising the antibacterial fabric according to any preceding claim.
8. 8. An article of clothing comprising the antibacterial fabric according to any of claims ito 6.
9. 9. An antibacterial fabric according to any of claims 1 to 6 for the promotion of wound healing.
10. 10. An antibacterial fabric according to any of claims 1 to 6 for the treatment of bacterial infection.
11. ii. An antibacterial fabric according to any of claims 1 to 6 for the treatment of MRSA.
12. 12. Use of a fabric according to any of claims I to 6 in the manufacture of a product for the promotion of wound healing.
13. 13. Use of an antibacterial fabric according to any of claims I to 6 in the manufacture of a product for the treatment of MRSA.