Design and Development of Sanitary Napkin with Herbal and Antimicrobial Potentials
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MPUAT, Udaipur
Abstract
In low income groups of developing countries like India, menstrual hygiene is
overlooked since ancient times. Due to ignorance and practicing poor hygienic habits
such as using unsanitized cloth, husk sand etc., a large number of women suffer from
Reproductive Tract Infections. Women of these groups are not capable to afford the
commercially available sanitary products. The present study is aimed at developing a
low cost sanitary napkin which can be affordable for low income groups and which
has antimicrobial and herbal properties. To achieve this motive, Flax (Linum
usitatissimum L., Linaceae) spinning waste fibers were selected to be used as filler.
Natural spinning waste fiber is generally used for low grade fabrics, as blends,
handmade paper, production of biogas, fuel, etc., but not yet used for sanitary
napkins. Use of spinning waste fiber for this purpose is a wise utilization of waste
fiber and value addition in the sense of cost reduction. To achieve the main aim of the
study, 30 college girls were asked about selection criteria for sanitary napkins and
color preference for sanitary napkin covering, if flax spinning waste is used as filler.
Respondents give more importance to wearing comfort and hand related features of
sanitary napkins in comparison to its visual appeal. As per the respondents’ opinion,
beige color was selected for top covering layer. To impart antimicrobial property to
the filler fiber, two plant extracts (Aloe vera gel and Neem Leaf extract) were applied
in different concentrations onto the thoroughly scoured and bleached fibres and then
treated samples were evaluated qualitatively for their antimicrobial activity against
gram positive (Staphylococcus Aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia Coli)
bacteria, as per standard test methods of AATCC and EN ISO. The optimized
concentrations of both the extracts treated samples were also tested for their antifungal activity and pH determination using AATCC and ISO test methods
respectively. Results, thus found, revealed that 10 percent Neem leaf extract treated
sample was best suited to be used as filler of Sanitary Napkin. Sanitary Napkins were
made in two different sizes as large and regular in tabless form and tested according
to standard test method for Sanitary Napkin. On the basis of results found, sanitary
napkins meet all the requirements of test method like absorbency and ability to
withstand pressure after absorption, disposability, and dimensions etc. Cost of
sanitary napkins was also found to be 1.66 rupees for single regular napkin while 1.99
rupees for single large napkin, which is quite economic and lesser than commercially
available products of popular brands. Acceptability of the sanitary napkins was also
assessed. Again the respondents were asked to rate the visual appeal and hand related
features of developed sanitary napkins and according to the scores given to developed
sanitary napkins in all the features, weighted mean score was calculated and
expressed as Excellent (4.1-5.0)/ Good (3.1-4.0)/ Above Average (2.1-3.0)/ Average
(1.1-2.0)/ Below Average (0-1.0) Both the developed sanitary napkins viz: regular and
large were found good in overall appearance and hand related features. The
acceptability Index of regular sanitary napkin was found 78.07 percent while 78.51
percent for large sanitary napkin.
Description
Design and Development of Sanitary Napkin with Herbal and Antimicrobial Potentials
Keywords
null
Citation
Mishra and Babel, 2017