Artemisinin-powered antibacterial fibre made in China
China’s Xinxiang Chemical Fiber has developed a natural, plant-based antibacterial fibre, local media have reported.
Inspired by Tu Youyou (the first Chinese Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine) and her discovery of malaria-fighting artemisinin, which is derived from the plant Artemisia annua, common in both north and south China, the company worked on researching and developing the fibre for a year before they achieved success.
The fibre is created by separating the antibacterial elements from Artemisia annua, before organically combining these elements with natural cellulose to produce a jelly-like substance, from which the antibacterial, deodorising and antifungal fibre is made.
After testing the fibre, China’s National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Textiles found it to be more than 99% effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans. Its effects are long-lasting, and fabric made from the fibre reportedly maintains an “excellent antibacterial effect” even after 100 washings.
Xinxiang Chemical Fiber has reportedly applied to trademark the fibre and its production technology. The fibre has also been recommended for a national invention patent, local media said.
