Natural Bioactive Compounds-Functionalized Rubber Composite for Antimicrobial Medical Glove Applications

This study investigates the incorporation of natural antimicrobial agents—tannin extracted from banana peels and curcumin extracted from turmeric—into natural rubber latex compounds for medical glove applications. The additives were introduced at concentrations of 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt%, resulting in a total of seven experimental formulations. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effects of bio-based additives on the structural, physical, and mechanical properties of the resulting glove films. Comprehensive characterization was performed and is reported in this study. The morphological and structural characteristics of the films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Physical properties, including film thickness and solubility, were measured. Chemical functional groups were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while phase composition and crystallinity were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surface wettability was evaluated through contact angle measurements using a non-destructive testing (NDT) approach. In addition, the mechanical properties of the rubber films were assessed, including tensile stress, tensile strength, and percentage elongation at break. The results provide insights into the influence of tannin and curcumin on the performance of natural rubber glove films, highlighting their potential as non-cytotoxic antimicrobial additives for enhancing the functionality and safety of medical gloves.