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AATCC 30
Antifungal Activity, Assessment on Textile Materials: Mildew and Rot Resistance of Textile Materials
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AATCC 30 – Antifungal Textile Test
The textile industry is a booming industry with innovation and development taking place rapidly. This innovation has led to the development of various unique materials that are aimed at protecting human health against various diseases. One such innovation is the development of antifungal textiles. These textiles are coated with antifungal agents to prevent fungal growth. However, innovation comes with the need for validation which is obtained through rigorous testing. AATCC 30 is a standard test method used to assess the mildew and rot resistance of textiles and to determine the efficacy of antifungal agents in inhibiting the growth of fungi.
Products tested
The AATCC 30 test method can be used to test various textiles such as cotton, rayon, nylon, silk, wool, linen, polyester, co-acrylic, spandex, viscose, sandbags, tarpaulins, tents, and more.
Organisms tested: Organisms typically used in this method include Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888), Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium varians, and Trichoderma viride.
Types of AATCC 30 Test
AATCC 30 provides four different types of tests, each designed for specific exposure conditions and types of textiles tested.
AATCC 30 Test I – Soil Burial test method
Purpose: This test is designed to test textiles that come in direct contact with soil such as sandbags, tarpaulins, and tents.
Test procedure
Soil bed preparation
- Air dried test soil is placed in containers (trays or boxes) to a depth of 13.0 ± 1.0 cm.
- Water is added gradually to achieve optimum moisture content. The step-up is then mixed thoroughly to avoid puddling.
- The soil is allowed to stand for 24 hours and sieved through a 6.4 mm mesh screen.
- Soil moisture content is maintained at 25 ± 5% by covering the container.
Sample preparation and incubation
- Textile samples (both treated and untreated) are prepared to a dimension of 15.0 ± 1.0 × 4.0 ± 0.5 cm.
- The samples are then buried horizontally in the soil bed, and covered with an additional 2.5 ± 0.5 cm layer of soil.
- The samples are incubated for 7 days at 28 ± 1°C.
Post-incubation handling
- Textile samples are removed from the soil and gently washed with water.
- The samples are air-dried at room temperature for 22 ± 4 hours.
- The samples are finally conditioned in an atmosphere of 64 ± 2% humidity and 24 ± 3°C for 24 hours.
Evaluation
- The breaking strength of the treated fabric is compared with the control (untreated) sample and any pre-exposed specimens before burying.
- The effectiveness of antifungal treatment is assessed by measuring the retained breaking strength after fungal exposure
AATCC 30 Test II – Agar Plate, Chaetomium globosum
Purpose: This test method is used to assess the rot resistance of cellulose-containing textile materials that do not come in contact with soil.
Test procedure
Preparation:
- Test (treated) and control (untreated) samples are placed on a mineral salt agar medium.
- A 10-14-day-old inoculum of Chaetomium globosum is evenly distributed over the test samples using a sterile pipette.
- An equal amount of sterile water is added for control samples.
Incubation:
- The samples are incubated at 28 ± 1°C (82 ± 2°F) for a specific period.
Evaluation:
- After the incubation period, the samples are evaluated for the breakage strength.
- The antifungal resistance is assessed by comparing the treated fabric samples with the control samples.
AATCC 30 Test III – Agar Plate, Aspergillus niger
Purpose: This test is used to evaluate the efficacy of treated textile materials against the growth of the fungus, Aspergillus niger.
Test procedure
Preparation:
- Treated and control (untreated) specimens are placed on a sterilized mineral salt agar medium.
- A 7-14 day-old inoculum of Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888) is evenly distributed over the test samples using a sterile pipette.
- For control samples, an equal amount of sterile water is added.
Incubation:
- Incubate all samples at a temperature of 28 ± 1°C for 14 days.
Evaluation:
- After the incubation period, the results are evaluated through microscopic examination of fungal growth on the samples.
AATCC 30 Test IV – Humidity Jar, Mixed Spore Suspension
Purpose: This test method is designed to determine the efficacy of textile materials to control mildew and non-pathogenic fungal growth. It is applicable for waterproof textile material intended for outdoor and above-ground use.
Test procedure
- Treated (control) and untreated (test) fabric samples are placed in respective jars.
- The samples are then sprayed with a mixed spore suspension containing mildew-causing organisms (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium varians, Trichoderma viride).
- The samples are incubated at 28 ± 1°C for 14 to 28 days and evaluated weekly for fungal growth.
- The percentage of surface area covered with fungal growth is assessed and recorded.
Importance
Ensuring product quality
This testing is crucial to maintain the safety and quality of textile products by assessing fungal growth that can cause product degradation, bad smells, and health hazards. Manufacturers can use this test to detect and address such risks thus, ensuring their products remain reliable for consumers.
Regulatory compliance
Compliance with this standard is crucial as many countries have strict regulations for antimicrobial treatments in textiles, especially in industries like healthcare and hospitality. Compliance helps manufacturers meet standards and prevent legal troubles.
Enhancing Marketability
Textiles certified by this standard can be sold as high-quality products. Manufacturers can also use this certification to stand out in the market.
Supporting research and development
The standard supports the research and development of textile industries by offering a framework for assessing the antifungal properties of their product. This standardization of protocols allows researchers to compare products and advance their formulations.
Environmental sustainability
The test also plays a key role in supporting environmental sustainability by helping manufacturers create textiles with strong antifungal properties. This reduces waste, promotes sustainable consumption, and decreases reliance on harsh chemicals.
Benefits of AATCC 30
- Comprehensive assessment: Provides a thorough evaluation of a textile’s susceptibility to mildew and rot.
- Realistic conditions: Tests are designed to simulate real-world conditions such as soil burial, high humidity, and exposure to specific fungi. This helps predict the performance of textiles in actual use scenarios.
- Standard test protocol: Uses standard test organisms (e.g., Chaetomium globosum, Aspergillus niger) and test conditions to ensure consistency and repeatability in testing.
- Regulatory compliance: Helps manufacturers meet industry and regulatory standards for antifungal treatments thereby, ensuring product safety and effectiveness before market launch.
- Enhanced product quality: Identifies potential issues with mildew and rot resistance early in the development process thus improving the overall quality and durability of the textile products.
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we run antifungal activity assays on treated textiles and plastic materials used for daily activities, industrial purposes, and other areas susceptible to fungal growth. Our experts adhere to International Standards for achieving reliable, accurate, and reproducible results.
To get a quote on the AATCC 30 test and other related queries, get a free consultation from our expert here.
FAQs
The AATCC 30 test is a standard protocol used to evaluate the mildew and rot resistance of textile material. The standard employs 4 different types of test methods, depending on the type of textile materials and their intended use.
AATCC 30 test is applicable to different types of materials including cotton, rayon, nylon, silk, wool, linen, polyester, co-acrylic, spandex, viscose, sandbags, tarpaulins, tents, etc.
It takes 4-5 weeks to complete this test.
At Microbe Investigations, we use Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888) to perform the test.
This test measures antimicrobial effectiveness in textiles by examining their susceptibility to mildew and rot, as well as the efficacy of fungicides. The test involves exposing textiles to fungi and observing the growth of fungi.
This test complies with industry standards for textile safety by following stringent protocols for evaluating the mildew and rot resistance of textiles.
The benefits of testing before the product launch include ensuring antimicrobial treatment durability, preventing mildew and rot, testing textiles for real-world conditions, and improving consumer satisfaction.
Considerations when interpreting the testing results include the variability in environmental conditions, differences in fungal strains, and the specific use case of the textile.
Testing helps validate that your textile products are resistant to mildew and rot growth and the efficacy of the antifungal agent in inhibiting their growth which is required to meet regulatory requirements.
Contact us for more information
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AATCC 30 | ASTM G21 | EN 1650 | EN 1657 | EN 13624 | EN 1275 | ASTM C1338 | ASTM D5590
