Antimicrobial Finishing of Cotton Fabric Using Aloe Vera Gel Mixed with Cynodon dactylon Extract

This study investigates the synergistic efficacy of the initial antimicrobial properties of cotton fabric treated with individual and blended natural extracts of Aloe vera gel and Cynodon dactylon (Scutch grass). 100% cotton fabric was treated using a pad–dry–cure process following ethanol-based extraction of the plant materials, and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) was employed to assist extract fixation on the cellulose surface. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated as a qualitative comparative screening using the agar disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus . Fabrics treated with Aloe vera extract exhibited concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria; however, comparatively lower inhibition was observed against S. aureus , indicating a limitation of single-component Aloe vera finishes. In contrast, fabrics treated with blended Aloe vera – Cynodon dactylon systems showed consistently enhanced inhibition zones compared to individual extracts under identical conditions. The highest antimicrobial performance was observed for the 10% (w/v) blended formulation, which produced a maximum zone of inhibition of 19.5 mm against S. aureus . Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy suggested successful deposition of plant-derived functional groups on the cotton surface with BTCA-assisted fixation, while physical property evaluation indicated only minor changes in fabric strength and surface durability. The results demonstrate that combining Aloe vera with Cynodon dactylon overcomes the limited efficacy of Aloe vera against S. aureus and provides a promising strategy for developing synergistic, plant-based antimicrobial finishes for cotton textiles. This study establishes a foundation for future investigations into laundering durability and quantitative antimicrobial performance.