USE OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN THE PRODUCTION OF NATURAL LEATHER WITH ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35546/kntu2078-4481.2026.2.11Keywords:
leather, biocides, antimicrobial properties, silver nanoparticles, properties of leather materialsAbstract
The article investigates the prospects for imparting antimicrobial properties to natural leather using advanced nanotechnologies. It is established that the ability of natural leather to adsorb moisture and nutrients creates a favorable environment for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in unpleasant odor, discoloration, and reduced mechanical durability of footwear. Particular attention is given to the medical dimension, namely the risk of foot infections, mycoses, and diabetic ulcers, which underscores the critical need to develop footwear materials with prolonged protective action.
The drawbacks of conventional biocides used in natural leather production are analyzed, including their high environmental toxicity and the stringent restrictions imposed by international environmental directives regarding biosafety. As an effective alternative, the use of biologically safe agents such as metal nanoparticles is considered. The primary focus is on the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to confer antimicrobial properties on natural leather intended for footwear. Based on a review of the literature, the effectiveness of various AgNP treatment methods for leather materials is examined with the aim of imparting antimicrobial activity. The influence of AgNP concentration on the leather’s viscoelastic, chemical, and physico-mechanical properties is assessed. It is argued that additional treatment of leather with AgNPs enables high activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi without altering the spatial structure of the dermis. The findings have practical significance for the development of manufacturing technologies for specialized-purpose footwear.
References
Maina P., Ollengo M. A., Nthiga E. W. Trends in Leather Processing: A Review. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. 2019. Vol. 9, no. 12. P. 9626.
Akter M., Tajuddin Sikder M., Mostafizur Rahman M., Atique Ullah A., Fatima Binte Hossain K., Banik S., Hosokawa T., Saito T., Kurasaki M. A Systematic Review on Silver Nanoparticles-Induced Cytotoxicity. Physicochemical Properties and Perspectives. J. Adv. Res. 2018. Vol. 9. P. 1−16.
Liu G., Haiqi G., Li K., Xiang J., Lan T., Zhang Z. Fabrication of silver nanoparticle sponge leather with durable antibacterial property. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2018. Vol. 514. P. 338–348.
Lkhagvajav N., Koizhaiganova M., Yasa I., Celik E., Sari O. Characterization and antimicrobial performance of nano silver coatings on leather materials. Braz. J. Microbiol. 2015. Vol. 46. P. 41–48.
Sportelli M.C., Picca R.A., Paladini F., Mangone A., Giannossa L.C., Di Franco C., Gallo A.L., Valentini A., Sannino A., Pollini M. Spectroscopic characterization and nanosafety of Ag-modified antibacterial leather and leatherette. Nanomaterials. 2017. Vol. 7. 203.
Abou Elmaaty T., Sayed-Ahmed K., Mohamed Ali R., El-Khodary K., Abdeldayem S.A. Simultaneous sonochemical coloration and antibacterial functionalization of leather with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Polymers. 2022. Vol. 14. 74.
Velmurugan P., Lee S.-M., Cho M., Park J.-H., Seo S.-K., Myung H., Bang K.-S., Oh B.-T. Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticle-coated fabric and leather against odor and skin infection causing bacteria. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2014. Vol. 98. P. 8179–8189.
Elsayed H., Hasanin M., Rehan M. Enhancement of multifunctional properties of leather surface decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). J. Mol. Struct. 2021. Vol. 1234, 130.
Xiang J., Ma L., Su H., Xiong J., Li K., Xia Q., Liu G. Layer-by-layer assembly of antibacterial composite coating for leather with cross-link enhanced durability against laundry and abrasion. Appl. Surf. Sci. 2018. Vol. 458. P. 978–987.
Adams Jr C. A., Deitch E. A. Diabetic foot infections. In Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented. Zuckschwerdt. 2001. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6985/
Uckay I., Gariani K., Pataky Z., Lipsky B. A. Diabetic foot infections: state‐of‐the‐art. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2014. Vol.16, no. 4, P. 305-316;
Shaw J. E., Sicree R. A., Zimmet P. Z. Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes research and clinical practice. 2010. Vol. 87, no. 1, P. 4-14;
Chatzistergos P. E., Naemi R., Chockalingam N. A method for subject-specific modelling and optimisation of the cushioning properties of insole materials used in diabetic footwear. Medical engineering and physics. 2015. Vol. 37, no. 6. P. 531-538.
Boyko E. J., Ahroni J. H., Stensel V., Forsberg R. C., Davignon D. R., Smith D. G. A prospective study of risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer. The Seattle Diabetic Foot Study. Diabetes care. 1999. Vol. 22, no. 7. P. 1036-1042.
Fernandez-Crehuet P., Ruiz-Villaverde R. Pitted keratolysis: an infective cause of foot odour. CMAJ. 2015. Vol. 187, no. 7. P. 519-519.
Alexander K.T.W. Preservation Using Bioicide Ice. XXII Congress IULTCS 1. 1993. 122 р.
Heidemann E. Preservation and Beamhouse. XXII Congress IULTCS 2. 1993. 570 р.
X. Su, R. Wang, X. Li, S. Araby, H.-C. Kuan, M. Naeem, J. Ma. A comparative study of polymer nanocomposites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets. Nano Materials Science. 2022. Vol. 4, no. 3. P. 185–204.
R.T. De Silva, M.G.P.G. Mantilaka, S.P. Ratnayake, G.A.J. Amaratunga, K.M.N. de Silva. Nano-MgO reinforced chitosan nanocomposites for high performance packaging applications with improved mechanical, thermal and barrier properties. Carbohydr. Polym. 2017. Vol. 157. P. 739–747.
M. Amina, N.M. Al Musayeib, G.A. Al-Hamoud, A. Al-Dbass, A. El-Ansary, M.A. Ali. Prospective of biosynthesized L.satiVum oil/PEG/Ag-MgO bionanocomposite film for its antibacterial and anticancer potential. Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2021. Vol. 28, no. 10, P. 5971–5985.
X. Zhu, D. Wu, W. Wang, F. Tan, P.K. Wong, X. Wang, X. Qiu, X. Qiao, Highly effective antibacterial activity and synergistic effect of Ag-MgO nanocomposite against Escherichia coli. J. Alloys Compd. 2016. Vol. 684, P. 282–290;
Y. Ding, W. Yu, J. Zhang, W. Liu, F. Zhu, Y. Ye, Q. Zheng, Enhanced antibacterial properties of poly(butylene succinate-co-terephthalate)/AgMgO nanocomposite films for food packaging. Polym. Test. 2023. Vol. 128. 1082;.
Priya S., Murali A., Preeth D. R., Dharanibalaji K. C., Jeyajothi G. Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle-Embedded Poly(Methyl Methacrylate-Co-Methacrylic Acid) Copolymer for Fungal-Free Leathers. Polym. Bull. 2022. Vol. 79. P. 4607−4626.
Nguyen N. T., Vu T. H., Bui V. H. Antibacterial and Antifungal Fabrication of Natural Lining Leather Using Bio-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Piper Betle L. Leaf Extract. Polymers. 2023. Vol. 15, no.12, P. 2634.
Marques G. N., Reis R. Y. N., Ribeiro L. K., Simoes L. G. P., Minozzi D. T., Andres J., Assis M., Mascaro L. H., Longo E. Antiviral Leather: A Functional Coating Based on SiO2-AgNPs to Eliminate Pathogens. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 2023. Vol. 11, no. 5. 110919.
Maldonado-Vega M., Guzman D., Camarena-Pozos D. A., Castellanos-Arevalo A. P., Salinas Ramirez A., Garibo D., Garcia-Garcia M. R., Pestryakov A., Bogdanchikova N. Application of silver nanoparticles to reduce bacterial growth on leather for footwear manufacturing. Journal of Applied Research and Technology. 2021. Vol. 19. P. 41–48.
Nguyen N. T., Vo T. L. H. Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using Cordyline fruticosa L. Leave Extract Endowing Silk Fibroin Modified Viscose Fabric with Durable Antibacterial Property. Polymers. 2022. Vol. 14. P. 2409.
Shaheen T.I., Abd El Aty A. A. In situ green myco-synthesis of silver nanoparticles onto cotton fabrics for broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2018. Vol. 118. P. 2121–2130.
Vu T.H., Bui V.H., Nguyen N.T. Antibacterial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Piper betle L. Leaf Extract. Mater. Sci. Forum. 2021. Vol. 1020. P. 236–242.
Zhang X., Wang W., Yu D. Synthesis of waterborne polyurethane–silver nanoparticle antibacterial coating for synthetic leather. J. Coat. Technol. Res. 2018. Vol. 15. P. 415–423.
