Antibacterial Efficacy of Glycol-Coated Polyester Fabric: A Potential Solution for Enhanced Wound Care and Infection Control in Medical Textiles

Abstract

Background: When utilized in hospitals, wound care units, and other hygienic settings, medical textiles may facilitate the spread of bacteria. Although polyester is extensively used due to its availability and durability, it does not natively offer antibacterial protection. Glycol coating polyester fabric may enhance its capacity to restrict bacterial development and lower the risk of infections linked to healthcare.

Objective: To determine whether glycol-coated polyester fabric has antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC #6538 and to evaluate its possible application in wound care and infection management.

Methodology: This experimental, comparative, in vitro study was conducted at Imran Idrees Teaching Hospital Laboratory, Sialkot from 1^st April 2025 to 30^th September 2025. Samples of polyester fabric were manufactured as an untreated control, glycol-coated fabric using the dip-coating method, glycol-coated fabric using the spray-coating method, glycol with ceftriaxone-coated fabric, and glycol with meropenem-coated fabric. Using the AATCC 147 agar diffusion method on tryptic soy agar, the antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC #6538. The zone of inhibition surrounding each fabric sample was measured to assess the antibacterial performance following incubation. Washing, abrasion, and environmental stability tests were used to further evaluate durability.

Results: There was very little antibacterial activity in the untreated polyester fabric and all coated samples showed discernible inhibitory zones against Staphylococcus aureus. Whereas the spray-coated glycol fabric displayed a 16 mm inhibition zone, the dip-coated glycol-coated polyester fabric displayed a 15 mm inhibition zone. A 16 mm zone of inhibition was formed by the glycol plus ceftriaxone-coated sample, while a 14 mm zone was produced by the glycol plus meropenem-coated sample. These results suggest that polyester fabric's antibacterial effectiveness was enhanced by glycol coating, with spray coating and ceftriaxone combination exhibiting somewhat higher activity.

Conclusion: Polyester fabric coated with glycol showed encouraging antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and could be a practical medical textile for hospital textiles, wound care, and infection prevention. Its antimicrobial properties and durability tests using washing, abrasion, and exposure to the environment point to its potential for application in healthcare fabrics that are often used. Prior to normal medical application, additional clinical and broad-spectrum microbiological testing is advised.