Properties of biofibres from conventional fibre plants and agricultural by-products, e.g. wheat straw, quinoa stems and sugarcane bagasse, hop stems, sponge, Musaceae plants, etc are introduced. In addition to fibres from different terrestrial grass and legume species and from sea grass, etc. are presented. Potential utilization of fibres from different non-conventional origins is discussed
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 17076758The review chapter compiles the applications and recent advances of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy in homo and heterogeneous biopolymer systems over the past decade. The advantanges of the EPR method in the study of biopolymer structure, heterogeneity, crosslinking as well as in characterization of biopolymer blends and interpenetrating networks are overviewed. Since many of these applications rely on the motional sensitivity of the EPR spectroscopy, recent analyses of complex EPR spectra and the corresponding motion patterns of various spin probes and metal centers are discussed, as well, with respect to detection of the free volume and free-volume distribution, phase separation, phase morphology and small molecule penetration/diffusion. Finally, radical reactions are addressed with special focus on spin trapping EPR which allows identification of short-living but technologically very relevant radical species that trigger breaking, grafting and crosslinking of the polymers chains. The wide ranges of EPR applications with appropriate research methodology are shown, offering new possibilities in research and technology and expanding the limits as well as sensitivity to molecular arrangements and dynamics via non-destructive detection in complex biopolymer materials.
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 16880406The aim of this project was to develop a novel medical tampon for alternative gynaecological treatment using chitosan nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent or as a drug delivery system. Immobilization of CS and TMC (in the form of solution and/or nanoparticles) onto cellulose viscose fibres was confirmed with several analytical methods. The attachment of chitosan onto fibres was reversible, as endorsed with desorption studies mimicking the conditions of vaginal usage. Evaluation of antimicrobial properties was performed using two different techniques, both revealing a high inhibition of the tested microorganism. In addition, Lactobacillus susceptibility testing has shown that chitosan-coated fibres do not have any negative influence on the resident microbiota. Assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity demonstrated that samples do not cause a cytotoxic effect in direct contact. Additionally, model drug was incorporated into chitosan nanoparticles and subsequently attached onto fibres in order to create modern, vaginal drug delivery systems. Antimicrobial medical textiles investigated in the scope of this project show the potential for their exploitation in gynaecological field as preventive or curative treatment without triggering any adverse effects for the user.
D.06 Final report on a foreign/international project
COBISS.SI-ID: 17585942The sensitive and selective detection of warfare threats is very important for military as well as for homeland security. This article gives a brief overview on the use of optical chemical sensors and probes based on nanomaterials for defence applications. The emphasis is on the detection of explosives (EXPs) and chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The detection transduction schemes that are used in optical nanosensors for EXPs and CWAs are overviewed and recently published works are described. However, there is still not a single nano-based sensor that promises a combination of speed, selectivity and sensitivity.
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 16975638In this research we conducted a sanitarymicrobiological research on various control points in the clean area of three hospital laundries and compared the results to the tolerance values for hospital textiles published by RAL the German Institute for quality assurance and quality marks. The disinfection effect of the laundering procedures was determined using standard bioindicators and surface sampling of ironed and folded hospital textiles was conducted using RODAC agar plates. The chemo-thermal disinfection effect of the laundering procedures was confirmed in only one laundry. Surface sampling of ironed and folded hospital textiles yielded the following microorganisms: Enterococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., coagulase negative staphylococci, saprophytic Gram negative bacilli, fungi. Discussion and conclusion: From the results it is obvious that only one hospital laundry reached the required level of textile hygiene. Achieving the appropriate hygiene level of hospital textiles depends on the disinfection effect of the laundering procedure and on regular cleaning and disinfection measures of all surfaces, areas and technical equipment in the clean area of the hospital laundry that come into contact with laundered textiles as well as regular education of personnel on proper hand hygiene in maintain hygiene in the hospital laundry.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 1912484