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An ecofriendly natural antibacterial finish has been prepared from the plant extracts for textile application. Herbal extracts from Ocimum sanctum (tulsi leaf) and rind of Punica granatum (pomegranate) have been applied to cotton fabric by the method of direct application, micro-encapsulation, resin cross-linking and their combinations. All the treatments show good antibacterial properties for the fabrics. Except the method of direct application, all other treatments show good washing durability up to 15 washes. The surface morphological studies using SEM show the surface coating, microcapsules and some fibrillation. The GC-MS studies reveal that the major components responsible for the antibacterial properties are Eugenol, Germacrene and Phytol. A small decrease in tensile strength and crease recovery angle is observed for resin treated and micro-encapsulated fabrics respectively. But in the combined processes no significant changes are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]