Given the increasing demand for multifunctional products with programmable and biological functionalities, this study aims to develop bioactive cellulose materials using a cost-effective, eco-friendly process. Plant extracts are well-suited for textile processing due to their accessibility, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and eco-friendly nature. In this study, viscose fabrics were treated with aqueous solutions of plant extracts from five selected species: industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.), mountain germander ( Teucrium montanum L.), herb-robert ( Geranium robertianum L.), lady’s mantle ( Alchemilla viridiflora Rothm.), and pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.). Periodate oxidation and chitosan deposition were used to enhance fabric properties. The antimicrobial activity of viscose fabrics treated with plant extracts was assessed using the agar diffusion method on Gram-positive microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolate and strain ATCC 25923), as well as Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli strain ATCC 25322 and a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . All samples treated with plant extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity, evidenced by inhibition zones or contact activity against the tested microorganisms. Samples treated with pomegranate peel and hemp extracts exhibited the highest efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria (inhibition zone of 20 mm), while those treated with pomegranate peel extract showed the highest activity against Gram-negative bacteria (inhibition zone of 17.5 mm). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagent; the results indicated significant antioxidant effects across all viscose fabrics functionalized with plant extracts. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded in samples treated with extracts of lady’s mantle at 80%, teucrium montanum at 76%, and pomegranate peel at 70%. Interactions between hemp and pomegranate extracts were further investigated using in silico methods to gain insights into the types of interactions and to identify key functional groups/atoms involved in complex formation between chitosan and extract constituents. Results indicate that the examined plant extracts could serve as suitable replacements for synthetic agents in textile functionalization.

Given the increasingly stringent environmental standards mandated today, the functionalization of textile materials using natural biopolymers and plant extracts represents an environmentally acceptable alternative to traditional synthetic agents. To obtain functionalized viscose fabric, a pretreatment process involving periodate oxidation followed by chitosan deposition was performed. Chitosan provides enhanced biological properties due to the presence of amino groups, which enable its deposition and the application of pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) extract during functionalization. Pomegranate peel extract contains a large number of bioactive compounds that further enhance the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the functionalized viscose fabric. Changes in surface chemistry, morphology, and biological properties after functionalization and up to five washing cycles were followed by FTIR spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, SEM, and determination of antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. The results showed a 100% bacterial reduction against Staphylococcus aureus up to five washing cycles, and 100% before and 99% after one washing cycle against Escherichia coli. The antioxidant activity of functionalized viscose (70.5% and 60.1% for 60 min and 120 min pre-oxidized fabrics, respectively) decreased after washing, while the obtained color remained stable after five washing cycles. The results indicate that viscose fabric functionalized with pomegranate peel extract can be used in the production of bioactive clothing for individuals with sensitive skin, as well as household and healthcare textile products.