Encapsulation of Acorus Calamus Linn. Extract by Polyurethane Microcapsules

Acorus calamus Linn. or “Wann-Nam” in local name is a medicinal plant. Since extract from its leaves and rhizomes is used for medicinal purpose and exhibits anti-microorganism property. It will be used to finish cotton fabic as follows. Polyurethane (PU) microcapsules containing the extract was prepared from interfacial polymerization of diphenyl methylene diisocyanate (MDI) in organic phase and propylene glycol in aqueous phase, with the addition of the extract in water. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis were used to characterize microcapsules and the extract. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to examine morphology of microcapsules. Antibacterial function against Stapphylococcus aureus and Salmonella thyphimurium of the extract and polyurethane microcapsules containing the extract will be tested. The encapsulated will be finished onto cotton fabrics to study anti-bacterial property before and after washing.