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ISO 13629-2 Antifungal Textile Test for Fungal Resistance
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Summary
ISO 13629-2 is an international test method used to determine the resistance of textile materials to mold growth. The test exposes fabric samples to specific fungal strains under controlled humidity and temperature conditions, then evaluates visible growth using a standardized scoring system. It is commonly used to validate antifungal finishes and support fungal-resistant performance claims in technical and consumer textiles.
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Quick understanding of the test
ISO 13629-2 - Determination of antifungal activity of textile products
Application
- Aspergillus niger
- Aspergillus brasiliensis
- Treated and untreated textile samples are exposed to fungal spore suspension .
- Samples are incubated at 30ยฐC for 48 hours.
- Initial fungal count, also known as “time zeroโ is determined.
- After incubation, samples are shaken in a neutralizing solution followed by serial dilution and incubation.
- Antifungal activity is calculated by comparing the reduction in fungal growth between time zero and 48 hours
- Provides quantitative data on antifungal activity.
- Ensures compliance with international standards for credibility in global markets.
Turnaround Time
The test provides antifungal activity values:
- A < 1: No antifungal activity
- 1 < A < 2: Low fungistatic activity
- 2 < A < 3: Medium fungistatic activity
- A > 3: Strong fungistatic activity
- 0 CFU: Complete fungicidal activity
Passing criteria
Products must exhibit an A value > 1 for acceptable antifungal activity, with higher values indicating better performance.
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What is ISO 13629-2 Antifungal Textile Testing?
ISO 13629-2 is a standard testing procedure used to assess the antifungal activity of textile products. It focuses on determining the fungistatic or fungicidal action of materials impregnated with antifungal agents using the plate count technique, ensuring manufacturers that their products can efficiently restrain fungal growth.
It ensures the quantitative measurement of antifungal activity by comparing treated and untreated textile specimens against a known fungal challenge. This method has a huge contribution in deciding whether or not the product will inhibit fungal growth and its potential to prevent contamination in risk-prone environments.
Scope of ISO 13629-2 Standard
The standard ISO 13629 2 covers a wide range of textile products including but not limited to:
- fibers,
- clothing,
- bed linen,
- yarns,
- bedclothings,
- and home furnishings.
Fungal Strains Used in ISO 13629-2
The common test fungi used in ISO 13629 2 are Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus brasiliensis.
ISO 13629-2 Test Procedure
Sample Preparation & Conditioning
For testing, treated textile samples and control samples are needed. Control samples should be identical to the treated samples without the antifungal treatment. If untreated textile samples are not available, testing can be carried out using 100% cotton as the control sample after washing at a temperature of 60 ยฐC without detergents or any brighteners, with mechanical agitation and rinsing.
Fungal Inoculation
Six test specimens from treated fabric and six control specimens are inoculated with a spore suspension.
Initial fungal count
Three specimens from both the treated and control groups are shaken with neutralizing solution after inoculation. Dilutions of these samples are inoculated on to the petri dishes containing Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium. This step determines the initial fungal count, also known as “time zero.”
Incubation
The remaining three specimens from both groups are incubated at 30ยฐC for 48 hours.
Final fungal count
The treated and control specimens are again shaken in a neutralizing solution after incubation and the number of fungi present is counted. The difference in fungal growth between time zero and 48 hours indicates the antifungal activity.
Calculation of antifungal activity (A Value)
Antifungal activity value, A, is calculated by comparing fungal growth on both treated and control samples.
Growth Evaluation & Scoring
The following criteria is used to determine if the textile product passes the test.
- A < 1: No antifungal activity.
- 1 < A < 2: Low fungistatic activity.
- 2 < A < 3: Medium fungistatic activity.
- A > 3: Strong fungistatic activity.
- 0 CFU: Complete fungicidal activity.
This step-wise procedure allows for the accurate determination of antifungal activity ensuring that the textile product meets the industry standards for performance.
ISO 13629-2 vs Other Standards
Parameter | ISO 13629-2 | AATCC 30 |
Purpose | To quantitatively assess the antifungal efficacy of textile materials using a controlled plate count method. | To qualitatively assess the resistance of textile materials to fungal deterioration, mildew formation, and rot under conditions favorable to fungal growth. |
Test Microorganisms | Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus brasiliensis | Aspergillus niger |
Scope of Products | Textiles including fibres, yarns, fabrics, apparel, home textiles, and industrial goods. | Textiles like cotton, silk, wool, sandbags, tarpaulin, rayon, spandex, etc. |
Incubation Time | Shorter (typically ~48 hours) | Longer (up to 14 days) |
Results Interpretation | Quantitative evaluation based on colony forming units (CFU). | Visual and microscopic observation of fungal growth. |
Importance of ISO 13629-2 test
In the textile industry, ISO 13629-2 testing is very crucial as it provides a standard method for manufacturers to check the fungicidal effectiveness of their materials. Molds and mildew can be quite problematic especially for textiles used in damp places. Therefore, the ability of these textiles to control the growth of these fungi is essential to prevent material degradation. Implementation of this standard enables manufacturers to ensure that their textile products, apart from aesthetic character, do not harbor fungi growth thus providing safety protection for a longer time in infected environments. It ensures quality preservation in products and provides consumers with safety while targeting specific standards of conformance in the industry.
Regulatory Relevance of ISO 13629-2
ISO 13629-2 is designed to support antimicrobial textile claims by providing quantitative results of antifungal performance, making it significant for international export validation and compliance with global requirements. The test demonstrates fungus-resistant behavior of treated fabrics and helps substantiate durability and hygiene claims, especially for performance and functional textiles. It is applicable during product development, formulation optimization, and routine quality control to ensure consistent antifungal efficacy across production batches.
Need help with 13629 2 testing
To guarantee that your textile products adhere to the highest antifungal standards and offer enduring protection, collaborate with Microbe Investigations Switzerland. Our ISO 13629-2 testing services provide dependable and thorough test results to support your product’s integrity and build customer trust.
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Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
Itโs an international standard method for quantitatively measuring antifungal activity of textile products by inoculating fabrics with fungi and counting surviving colonies using a plate count technique.
The test typically uses reference fungal spores such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus brasiliensis.
The fabric is inoculated with a standardized fungal suspension and incubated under defined temperature and humidity conditions.
After incubation, fabrics are neutralized, diluted, and plated to count colony forming units (CFU), the reduction in CFU compared to control indicates antifungal activity.
ISO 13629-2 is a quantitative plate count CFU method for evaluating antifungal activity of textiles, while AATCC 30 focuses qualitative evaluation of mildew growth or resistance of textiles.
Yes, it is suitable for evaluating mold resistance or antifungal effectiveness of treated textile products.
Typically, it is 48 hours, excluding sample preparation and reporting time.
Yes the test can be performed with specific reference fungal strains based on the manufacturerโs requirement.
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