Antibacterial Fiber Treatments and Disinfection1

Abstract

Developments and research in the present decade on the antibacterial finishing and disinfection of textiles are reviewed. Definitions and concepts of terms such as antimicrobial agent, antibacterial agent, disinfectant, and sanitizers are discussed from both a regulatory and scientific perspective. Quantitative tests for determining antibacterial activity of textiles usually involve sterilization of fabric, inoculation with a microorganism, and determination of bacteria remaining by wash-recovery or colony-count under a low-power microscope. Most qualitative tests for antibacterial activity are based on the ability of the agent to diffuse off the fiber into an agar medium. Most antifungal tests consist of inoculation of fabric, then inspection for visual growth of fungi after varying periods of time. Microbial ecology of the skin-clothing interface differs in everyday environments and situations from environments conducive to growth of microorganisms and cross- infection ; predominant bacteria and fungi and microbial population on different parts of the body are discussed in this context. Microorganism persistence on textiles is influenced to some extent by fiber type. Recent studies show that synthetics retain more odor-causing bacteria, and that dermatophytic fungi are more persistent on synthetics than on natural fibers; persistence time of pathogenic bacteria,on natural and synthetic fibers is dependent on relative humidity and method of fabric contami nation. Newer and commercialized processes for producing antibacterial fabrics durable to laundering are evaluated, and frequently-used disinfectants and sanitizers for textiles are stressed. Various techniques for affixing such agents to fibers are listed, and requirements for producing effective antibacterial and antifungal fibers for particular end-uses are enumerated. Some novel and recent uses for antibacterial fibers, such as water disinfection and air purification, are also mentioned.