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This work presents the results ofa study which concerns the influence of rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the antibacterial performance of commercial pine essential oil. A suspension of essential oil in saline solution and Escherichia coli were exposed to the rotating magnetic Afield (the frequency of electrical current supplied by a RMF generator f = 1-50 Hz; the averaged values of magnetic induction in the cross-section of the RMF generator B = 13.13 to - 19.92 mT, time of exposure t = 160 min, temperature of incubation 37 °C). The chemical composition of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) essential oil was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents were α-pinene (28.58%), β-pinene (17.79%), δ-3-carene (14.17%) and limonene (11.58%). The present study indicates the exposition to the RMF, as compared to the unexposed controls causing an increase in the efficacy of antibacterial properties of pine oil. We have shown that rotating magnetic fields (RMF) at a frequency, f, between 25 Hz to and 50 Hz increased the antimicrobial efficiency of oil a concentration lower than 50%., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Bacterial infectious diseases are serious health problem which extends to economic and social complications. Moreover, bacterial antibiotic resistance, lack of suitable vaccine or emergence of new mutations is forcing the development of novel antimicrobial agents. The objective of this study is to synthesize and characterize star-like zinc oxide nanoparticles for the application of antibacterial activities in cellulose based hygiene products. ZnO NPs were in situ synthesized via precipitation method on the surface of cellulose fibers. Since bactericidal activity of nanoparticles in part depends on the concentration in the growth medium, various amount of ZnO was incorporated into cellulose matrix ranging from 1 to 3 wt%. Microscopic (TEM, SEM) and spectroscopic (FT-IR, XRD) methods were utilized to investigate the final products. The infrared absorption spectra analysis supported by theoretical finding that during the reaction, ZnO nanoparticles could be bonded with cellulose fibers via hydrogen bonding. The yield of functionalization was determined through thermogravimetric analysis. Collected data proved the successful functionalization of the cellulose fibers with nanoparticles. Static contact angle measurements were carried out showing absorptive character of as prepared fabrics. All the samples were tested for the antibacterial properties and the results were compared to the samples prepared from the pristine cellulose fibers. Moreover, mechanical tests were performed revealing that the addition of only 2 wt% of the nanofiller boosted tensile, tearing and bursting strength by a factor of 1.6, 1.4 and 2.2 in comparison to unfunctionalized paper sample, respectively. Fabricated fabric presenting high hydrophilicity and antibacterial properties have gained increased applications in fabric industry, including hygiene product industry and hence the result of this study would be a welcomed option., (© 2022. The Author(s).)