Hohenstein centre develops antimicrobial textile test
18/06/2008
A team from the Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology at the International Textile Research Centre of the Hohenstein Institutes in Bönnigheim, Germany, has developed a new test to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial textiles.
The team, led by Dr Dirk Höfer, has developed a two-stage test to measure the ability of these fabrics to reduce the odour of perspiration, both qualitatively and quantitatively.In the first stage, a microbiological cell model is used in which the antimicrobial textiles slow down the metabolism of microorganisms that produce a specific odour substance. By using GC/MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis, the formation of the odour substance can be quantified and the effectiveness of the antimicrobial materials assessed.
In the second test, trial users apply real perspiration from their bodies to the textiles in a controlled wear test. Specially trained testers then assess, qualitatively and quantitatively, the odour reduction in antimicrobial textiles compared with conventional textiles.
In future, manufacturers will be able to use the Hohenstein quality label on their products to prove they have been tested.
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