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Abstract

Fungal contamination of clothing is a common issue caused by moisture retention, poor ventilation, and organic residues, leading to fabric damage, unpleasant odors, and potential health risks. Conventional chemical antifungal treatments may be effective but often pose environmental and health concerns. This study explores the use of antifungal herbal drops as a natural and eco-friendly alternative for removing fungal infections from fabrics. Herbal extracts with proven antifungal properties, such as Lantana camara leaves, Cinnamon, Clove and Ginger are evaluated for their effectiveness against common fabric fungi. The study investigates their antifungal activity, application methods, and long-term effects on fabric integrity. Results indicate that herbal antifungal drops inhibit fungal growth making them a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments. This research highlights the potential of plant-based antifungal solutions in textile care, promoting a safer and more environmentally friendly approach to fungal decontamination.

Keywords

Antifungal activity, liquid solution used for cloths

Introduction

Fungal infections on human clothes typically result from the presence of fungal spores, which thrive in warm, moist environments. These spores can contaminate clothing, bedding, or personal items and can potentially cause various skin infections. Some common fungal infections that may involve human clothes include Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis), Ringworm (Tinea corporis), Candida infections, and Dermatophytosis. Humans are associated with around 600 fungus strains that cause some of the most fatal infectious diseases. The most dangerous people are those with weakened immune systems, but both well-known and newly discovered infections can endanger healthy people. primarily when a substantial inoculum is present in the infection. The development and dissemination of fungal parasites that are resistant to all current classes of antifungal medications, along with the growth in the incidence of invasive fungal infections worldwide, pose a serious threat to human health. Despite the fact that numerous fungi are linked to humans, only few of them are harmful pathogens. In nature, the fungus kingdom grows at room temperature since the typical body temperature of Because humans are high, most fungi do not enter the body; hence, fungi that cause ringworm, athlete's foot, and other skin conditions are typically located on the outside or exterior side of the body. Under normal conditions, a few species thrive inside the body. There are only few fungal species that cause the majority of human diseases in hosts with healthy immune systems. Numerous fungi can cause illness in immunocompromised hosts.[1]

Table no. 1: Classification of fungal infections related cloth :

Infection

Cause

Cloth Relation

Example

Tinea corporis

Dermatophytes

Wearing infected clothes (shirts, dresses)

Ringworm of the body

Tinea pedis

Dermatophytes

Using shared socks, shoes, towels

Athlete’s foot

Tinea cruris

Dermatophytes

Wearing tight, sweaty underwear

Jock itch (groin infection)

Tinea capitis

Dermatophytes

Sharing hats, scarves

Scalp ringworm

Tinea manuum

Dermatophytes

Using contaminated gloves

Hand fungal infection

Onychomycosis

Dermatophytes

Wearing infected gloves, socks

Nail fungus

Sign and Symptoms :           

  • In clothes, fungal infections usually show as mold or mildew growing on the fabric. Here's what you might notice:
  • Musty or sour smell (even after washing)
  • Discoloration — like black, green, or white patches
  • Spots or stains that look fuzzy or powdery
  • Fabric weakening — cloth may tear easily where the fungus has grown
  • Slimy or damp texture in some spots

Herbal Treatment For Fungal infection on human cloths :

  1. Lantana Camara Linn. :

The flowering ornamental plant Lantana camara Linn. is a member of the Verbenaceae family. L. camara is sometimes referred to as West Indian lantana, Lantana, Surinam Tea Plant, and Wild Sage. It is likely that L. camara was brought to India prior to the 19th century. Presently, L. camara can be found all over India in areas with slopes that drain well and moderate to high summer rainfall. Though some or all of them can thrive on siliceous sands and sandstone-derived soils if they are of modest depth and other conditions, particularly year-round precipitation, are favorable, the majority of forms prefer fertile organic soils. Recent scientific research has highlighted the potential application of L. camara in contemporary medicine, as it is a well-known medicinal plant in traditional medicine. Documenting L. camara's medicinal qualities and its potential for future scientific research in order to create potent therapeutic molecules is the goal of this review. [2]

Taxonomy :

Table no. 2 : Taxonomy of lantana camara linn

Kingdom

Planate

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Lamiales

Family

Verbenaceae

Genus

Lantana

Species

Lantana camara Linn.

Plant description: A short, upright or subscandent, vigorous shrub, L. camara has a tetrangular stem, robust, recurved leaves, and a powerful, black-current odor. The plant can reach heights of 1 to 3 meters and widths of up to 2.5 meters. Oval or rectangular, acute or subacute, crenate serrate, rugose above, and scabrid on both sides are the characteristics of the leaves. The green leaves measure 3–8 cm in length and 3–6 cm in width. Rough hairs cover the stem and leaves. Umbels are tiny flowers that are held in bunches. The flower's color typically changes as it ages, sometimes shifting from orange to white to red in different shades.  Almost all year long, the axillary head of flowers has a yellow neck. The limb spreads 6 to 7 mm wide and is separated into uneven lobes. The calyx is tiny, and the corolla tube is narrow. Two sets of four stemmen were present, along with a two-celled, two-ovule ovary. In the axils of opposing leaves, inflorescences are produced in pairs. Compact, dome-shaped inflorescences that are 2-3 cm across and have 20–40 sessile flowers are present. Even after several cuts, the robust root system continues to produce new, fresh shoots.


Fig No. 1 : Lantana Camara Leaf

Phytochemical composition: The phytochemical makeup of L. camara has been the subject of much research in recent decades. According to reports, the main phytochemical groups found in various parts of L. camara include essential oils, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, glycosides, iridoid glycosides, phenyl ethanoid, oligosaccharides, quinine, saponins, steroids, triterpens, sesquiterpenoides, and tannin. [3]

  1. Clove

The term "lavang" is typically used to describe cloves. The relevance of plants in human life has grown daily as a result of their improved nutritional and therapeutic qualities. Native to the eastern Indonesian islands of Maluka, clove is a topical evergreen tree in the Myrtaceae family. This is frequently used as an expectorant to treat digestion issues, oral ulcers, dental discomfort, and insect repellant. Antioxidant, antipyretic, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiplatelet, anti-stress, anti-disease, and anti-carcinogenic in cervical cancer are all properties of clove, a pharmacologically active medicinal plant. Eugenol (80%–90%), eugenyl acetate (15%–17%), beta-caryophyllene (5%–12%), alpha-humulene (0.55%), alpha-terpenyl acetate (0.1%), and methyl eugenol (0.2%) are among the most important phenolic chemicals found in cloves. Clove oil's primary ingredient, eugenol, has potent antioxidant properties. Clove's primary bioactive component, eugenol, ranges in concentration from 9 381.70 to 14 650.00 mg/100 g of fresh plant weight. Gallic acid has a higher quantity among the phenolic acids (783.50 mg/100 g fresh weight). [4]

Fig no. 2 : Clove

Taxonomy :

Table no. 3 : Taxonomy of Clove

Kingdom

Plantae

Subclass

Rosidae

Domain

Eukaryota

Superorder

Myrtanae

Subkingdom

Viridaeplantae

Order

Myrtales

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Suborder

Myrtineae

Subphylum

Euphyllophytina

Family

Myrtaceae

Infraphylum

Radiatopses

Genus

Syzgium

Class

Magnoliopsida

Specific epithet

Aromaticum

3) Cinnamon

The name cinnamon, which comes from a Latin word meaning "sweet wood," comes from the inner bark, which is thought to be the primary component of evergreen cinnamon trees.is a member of the plant kingdom's Lauraceae family1.According to Gruenwald, Freder, and Armbruester (2010), there are two primary types of cinnamon.Vietnamese and Indonesian people grow cassia. And Ceylon cinnamon, which is grown in Sri Lanka and India. Cinnamon was first traditionally used as a sweet spice and a condiment with a strong flavor (Kim, S.H.; Hyun, S.H.; Choung, S.Y. 2006). The herb's primary constituents are (root) camphor, (bark) cinnamon aldehyde, and (leaf) eugenol. All of its parts contain comparable hydrocarbons in different amounts (Shen et al. 2012). [5]

Fig no. 3 : Cinnamon

Chemical Constituent :

Table No. 4 : Percentage chemical compound in cinnamon

Compound

Percentage %

Eugenol

70 to 95 %

Cinnamaldehyde

65 to 80 %

Camphor

60 %

Cinnamyl  acetate

42 to 54 %

4)Ginger

The Zingiberaceae family includes ginger (Zingiber officinale), which was initially grown in Asia (Malaysia and Indonesia). Many patients take this plant as one of the most popular herbal supplements to cure a variety of ailments. Based on its size, rhizome color, and chemical composition, Z. officinale comes in three varieties: Z. officinale var. officinale (little white ginger, emprit), Z. officinale var. amarum (giant or big white ginger, badak or gajah), and Z. officinale var. Compared to other varieties of ginger, Z. officinale var. rubrum has a higher concentration of essential oils, which intensifies its pungent flavor and aroma. Numerous studies support the positive effects of red ginger on disease symptoms, including its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiemetic, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties. Z.officinale var. rubrum is regarded as a safe herbal remedy with negligible negative side effects. [6]

Fig no. 4 : Ginger

Taxonomy :

Table no. 5 : Taxonomy of Z. Officinale var. Rubrum

Kingdom :

Plantae

Division :

Magnoliophyta

Class :

Liliopsida

Order :

Zingiberales

Family :

Zingiberaceae

Genus :

Zingiber

Species :

Zingiber officinale

Variety :

Zingiber officinale var. rubrum

EXPERIMENTAL :

Preliminary Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis

This study was carried out to identify the presence of secondary metablosim in plant. The aqueous extracts of  Lantana camara leaf, clove, cinnomon and ginger was prepared and preliminary phytochemical analysis were performed  by using the following standard method.[7]

Table no. 6 : Phytochemical screening test of lantana camara leaf :

Test

Test to be performe

Obesevarion

Result

Carbohydrate

Molish test

Violet ring of at the junction of two liquid

+

Steroid

Liebermenn’s test

Blue color appears

+

Glycoside

Liebermenn’s test

Blue color appears

+

Flavonoid

Sulphuric acid

Yellow color precipitate

+

Tannin and phenolic

Lead acetate

White ppt

+

Alkoloid

Mayers test

Gives ppt

+

Fig no. 5 : Lantana camara leaf

Table no. 7 : Phytochemical screening test of clove :

Test

Test to be performe

Observation

Result

Carbohydrate

Molish test

Violet ring of at the junction of two liquid

+

Flavonoid

Sulphuric acid

Yellow color precipitate

+

Tannin and phenolic

Acetic acid

Red color solution

+

Alkaloid

Mayer’s test

Gives ppt

+

Steroid

Liebermann’s test

Blue color appears

+

Glycoside

Liebermann’s test

Blue color appears

+

Fig no. 6 : Clove

Table no. 8 : Phytochemical screening test of  cinnomon :

Test

Test to be performe

Observation

Result

Carbohydrate

Molish test

Violet ring of at the junction of two liquid

+

Reducing Sugar

Benedict’s test

Green, red or yellow solution

+

Volatile oil

Solubility test

Soluble in liquid

+

Steroid

Liebermann’s test

Blue color appears

+

Alkaloid

Mayers test

Gives ppt

+

Fig no. 7 : Cinnomon

Table no. 9 : Phytochemical screening test of Ginger :

Test

Test to be performe

Observation

Result

Carbohydrate

Molish test

Violet ring of at the junction of two liquid

+

Steroid

Liebermann’s test

Blue color appears

+

Foam

Foam

Foam observed

+

Flavonoid

Sulphuric acid

Yellow color precipitate

+

Tannin and Phenolic

Lead acetate

Red color solution

+

Fig no. 8 : Ginger

LOSS ON DRYING (Moisture Conetnt) :

Weigh about 1 g of powdered drug into a weighed flat and thin porcelain dish. Dry in the hot air oven at 100 degree C or 105 degree C. Until two consecutive weighing do not differ by more than 0.5 mg. Cool in a desiccators and weigh. The loss in weight is usually recorded as moisture.[7]

Table no. 10 : Calculation of lantana camara leaf :

Time

Weight

15 Minute

71.30

30 Minute

70.00

45 Minute

69.5

60 Minute

69.5

Formula :

Moisture Content =  W-d/W x 100

Where  W = Wet weight (75)

             d  = Dry weight (69.5)

Moisture content = 75 – 69.5/75 x 100

                             = 5.5/75 x 100

                             = 7.33 %

Fig no. 9 : Loss on drying of lantana camara leaf

Table no. 11 : Calculation of clove

Time

Weight

15 Minute

67.55

30 Minute

67.51

45 Minute

67.48

60 Minute

67.48

Formula :

Moisture Content =  W-d/W x 100

Where  W = Wet weight ( 67.62)

             d  = Dry weught (67.48)

Moisture content =  67.62 – 67.48/ 67.62  x 100

                             = 0.14/ 67.62 x 100

                             = 0.2

Fig no. 10 : Loss on drying of clove

Table no. 12 : Calculation of Cinnamon

Time

Weight

15 Minute

68.73

30 Minute

68.70

45 Minute

68.68

60 Minute

68.68

Moisture Content =  W-d/W x 100

Where  W = Wet weight (68.82)

             d  = Dry weight (68.68)

Moisture content = 68.82 – 68.68 / 68.82 x 100

                             = 0.14 / 68.82  x 100

                             = 0.2 %

Fig no. 11 : Loss on drying of cinnomon

TOTAL ASG VALUE :

Weigh and ignite flat, thin, porcelain dish or a tared silica crucible. Weigh about 2 g of the powdered drug into the crucible support the dish on a pipeclay triangle placed on a ring of retort stand. Heat with a burner, using a flame about 2 cm high and supporting the dish about 7 cm above the flamr, heat till vapors almost cease to be evolved; then lower the dish and heat more strongly until all the carbon is burnt off. Cool in a desiccator. Weigh the ash and calculate the percentage of total ash with reference to the air dried sample of the crude drug.[7]

Calculation of lantana camara leaf :

Weight of the empty dish = ‘x’ = 23.75 gm

Weight of the drug taken = ‘y’ = 2 gm

Weight of the dish + Ash (after complete incineration) = ‘z’  = 23.81 gm

Wt. of the ash = (z-x) g

                        = 23.81 – 23.75

                        = 0.06 gm

‘y’ g of the crude drug gives (z-x) g of the ash

100g of the crude  drug gives 100/y*(z-x) g of the ash

Total Ash value of the sample = 100 (z-x)/y %

                                                 = 100 (0.06) / 2

                                                 = 3 %

Fig no. 12 : Lantana camara leaf total ash value of Before and After

Calculation of  clove :

Weight of the empty dish = ‘x’ = 22.47 gm

Weight of the drug taken = ‘y’ = 2 gm

Weight of the dish + Ash (after complete incineration) = ‘z’  = 22.61 gm

Wt. of the ash = (z-x) g

                        = 22.61 – 22.47

                        = 0.14 gm

‘y’ g of the crude drug gives (z-x) g of the ash

100g of the crude  drug gives 100/y*(z-x) g of the ash

Total Ash value of the sample = 100 (z-x)/ y %

                                                 = 100 (0.14) / 2

                                                 = 7 %

Fig no. 13 : Clove total ash value before and after

Calculation of  Cinnamon :

Weight of the empty dish = ‘x’ = 22.47 gm

Weight of the drug taken = ‘y’ = 2 gm

Weight of the dish + Ash (after complete incineration) = ‘z’  = 22.87 gm

Wt. of the ash = (z-x) g

                        = 22.87 – 22.47

                        = 0.09 gm

‘y’ g of the crude drug gives (z-x) g of the ash

100g of the crude  drug gives 100/y*(z-x) g of the ash

Total Ash value of the sample = 100 (z-x)/ y %

                                                 = 100 (0.09) / 2

                                                 = 4.5 %

Fig no. 14 : Cinnomon total ash value before and after

WATER SOLUBLE EXTRACT : Weigh about 4 g of the corsely powdered drug in a weighing bottle and transfer it to a dry 250 ml conical flask. Fill a 100 ml graduated flask to the delivery mark with the solvent (Chloroform water). Wash out the weighing  bottle and pour the washings, together with the remainder of the solvent into the conical flask cork the flask and set aside for 24 hours, shaking frequently (Maceration). Filter into a 50 ml cylinder. When sufficient filtrate has collected, transfer 25ml of the filtrate to a weighed, thin porcelain dish, as ash value determination. Evaporate to dryness on a water bath and complete the drying in an oven at 105o C for 6 hys cool in a desiccator for 30 minutes and weigh immediately. Calculate the percentage w/w of extractive with reference to the air dried drug.[7]

Calculation of lantana camara leaf :

25 ml of chloroform water extract gives = 0.1 g of residue

100 ml of chloroform water extract gives =  4x  g of residue

Since 5 g of air-dried drug gives 0.1 g of  water (90%) soluble residue.

100 g og air dried drug gives x g of the  water(90%) solute residue.

                                          X =  100 x 0.1 / 5

                                          x = 2 %