Advancements in Biofunctional Textiles: Exploring the Role of \(\beta\)-Cyclodextrins in Enhancing Textile Properties

Abstract

Cotton accounts for more than 50% of the global fiber market and has intrinsic properties such as high tensile strength, hydrophilicity, high moisture absorption, and comfort. With the new environmental-friendly developments surrounding the industry and society, the use of new materials as carriers is becoming more important. In the case of essential oils and organic chemical substances, the role that cyclodextrins play is very important. The use of the Guest-host structures in the cone structure of \(\beta\)-Cyclodextrins is very frequent in Pharmacy and Biochemical systems related to biomedical applications. In this work, we present a mini-review work suggesting possibilities of the application of the cyclodextrins characteristics to be used in the textile industry to achieve antibacterial, antimicrobial, or simply, aromatic properties longed in time. It can be concluded that cyclodextrins can be applied to textiles with covalent bonds, giving the material new properties and making it functional. These new properties allow the textile to be used as a cosmetic, a release matrix, in other words, a product that can help its user in a different way than conventional textiles.