{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.01966955153422502, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0023603461841070024, 'mean_word_length': 5.523076923076923, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Evaluation of Modified Organic Cotton Fibers Based Absorbent Article Applicable to Feminine Hygiene

ABSTRACT In the present study, an absorbent article from raw organic cotton fibers (ROCFs) as base material was prepared for female hygiene applications. ROCFs were modified employing two different approaches: the conventional NaOH and eco-friendly ethanol/water blend. Chitosan is considered as an eco-friendly agent and hence used in the present study to impart simultaneous antimicrobial, binding, and stabilizing properties to the final product. Two different organic acids, namely acetic acid and citric acid, were used to disperse the chitosan particles in order to balance the pH range of the feminine physiology system, which is normally in the range of 3–4.5 to prevent the undesired growth of microbes. Particle size and SEM analysis confirmed the proper dispersion and attachment of chitosan particles in the modified cotton fibers, respectively. The absorbency test indicated the better holding capacity for the ethanol cotton fibers treated along with chitosan in combination citric acid. Further, this combination was also found to possess better antimicrobial activity against specific microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and others.