Textile materials with bioactive protection

The present invention relates to textiles endowed with bioactive protection against air or water borne toxic chemicals such as pesticides, nerve agents, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. More specifically, the object of the invention is a textile material carrying immobilized biocatalysts able to actively degrade toxic chemicals adsorbed onto it. The textile material of the invention can be used to manufacture bioactive interlining element of protective garments or it may, but not exclusively, be used was the bioactive layer of filter masks, gloves and other protective devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a bioactive textile material comprising (i) a textile support; (ii) a bioactive layer either on one or both aides of the said textile support, the bioactive layer comprising a nanostructured xerogel film which comprises an immobilized bloactive enzyme.