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AATCC 147
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AATCC 147 - Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials Using the Parallel Streak Method
- Staphylococcus aureus ( ATCC 6538P)
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352)
- Nutrient agar plate is inoculated with a bacterial strain.
- The treated textile sample is placed on the inoculated agar.
- Plate is incubated at a specified temperature for a defined period.
- The bacterial growth around the fabric sample is examined.
- The size of the clear zone of inhibition is measured to determine antibacterial activity.
- Helps with the rapid assessment of the antimicrobial activity of textile materials.
- Assists manufacturers in meeting regulatory and quality standards.
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Abstract
AATCC 147 is a standard test method for assessing the antibacterial activity of textile materials. Antibacterial textiles have gained much popularity in recent years, especially in sectors such as healthcare, sports, and personal care. Thus, evaluating the performance efficacy of these products is essential and AATCC 147 provides a standardized procedure for this purpose, helping manufacturers validate their products’ performance.
AATCC 147 – Overview of antibacterial testing for textiles
AATCC 147 is a standard microbiological test that is also known as the Parallel Streak Method. It provides a relatively rapid and simple qualitative method for measuring the antibacterial activity of diffusible antimicrobial agents on treated textile materials. However, it is important to note that the method is not applicable to materials that are likely to encapsulate and suppress the diffusion of antibacterial agents or contain substances that neutralize the antibacterial activity.
Test products used in AATCC 147 method
The test method applies to all textile products regardless of the type of antibacterial agents. It includes –
- Clothes
- Waddings
- Threads
- Bedclothes
- Home furnishings
- Other porous materials
Test organisms used in AATCC 147
Test organisms include Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352), Escherichia coli(ATCC 8739), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), MRSA (ATCC 33591), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708), Candida albicans (MTCC 3017). Other strains can be included at the customer’s request.
AATCC 147 test method – Step-by-step process
Preparation
- Molten nutrient agar medium is poured into Petri dishes and allowed to solidify.
Inoculation
- Using a sterile inoculating loop, five parallel streaks of the bacterial suspension are made across the agar surface.
- The treated test specimen (25 x 50 mm) is placed transversely across the bacterial streaks, ensuring proper contact with the agar surface. Meanwhile, a parallel experiment is performed with control (untreated) samples.
Incubation
- The inoculated plates are incubated with the test specimens at 37 ± 2°C for 18-24 hours.
Evaluation
- After incubation, Petri plates are examined for interrupted bacterial growth along the streaks and clear zone of inhibition that occurs due to the presence of the antibacterial agents.
Compliance and AATCC standards for textile testing
The AATCC 147 is a regulatory requirement in most regions. Compliance with the standards set by the AATCC committee helps manufacturers validate the efficacy of their products. It also streamlines the product registrations and certification process thus enabling easy market entry. In addition to the above benefits, adhering to the requirements of AATCC also ensures the credibility of the products thus boosting consumer confidence in the product.
Importance of AATCC 147 Standard in Textile Testing
AATCC 147 is a valuable test for manufacturers because it enables them to quickly and accurately assess bacteriostatic activity of their products. Furthermore, it allows them to screen and validate the performances of their antibacterial treatments, ensuring that products meet the necessary requirements for health and safety standards. Companies can assure consumers of the efficacy of their antibacterial fabrics by performing a thorough test. This enhances the product’s reliability and marketability across various sectors where hygiene and resistance to microbes are crucial.
Strengths of AATCC 147 Test Method
The test method has several strengths that make it a preferred choice for evaluating antibacterial activity in textiles:
- Simplicity: The test is simple to perform and provides a quick and efficient method to evaluate textile samples.
- Cost-effective: Compared to other antimicrobial tests, this test is relatively affordable as it requires minimal media requirements and sophisticated instruments are not involved in testing.
- Clear results: The zone of inhibition provides a clear visual representation of the antimicrobial effectiveness. This simplifies the result interpretation.
Benefits of AATCC 147 Test for Manufacturers
The test offers several benefits to manufacturers:
- Regulatory compliance
Testing helps meet industry standards and safety regulations.
- Product credibility
Testing validates antimicrobial claims, building consumer trust.
- Quality assurance
Testing ensures overall product quality and reliability.
- Competitive edge
Testing helps differentiate products in a crowded market, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
- Innovation support
Testing provides data for developing advanced antimicrobial textiles.
Conclusion
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we provide AATCC 147 testing to accurately determine the antimicrobial activity of your textile products. Our specialized testing ensures that your textiles meet the highest standards for antimicrobial efficacy, safeguarding consumer health and product quality. We offer both qualitative (AATCC-147) and quantitative methods (AATCC 100, JIS L 1902, ISO 20473) for antibacterial testing of textiles.
Looking for fast and accurate antimicrobial testing? Consult our experts today for a quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
AATCC 147, also known as Parallel Streak Method is a qualitative test method specifying the bacteriostatic activity of diffusible antimicrobial agents on textile materials.
The standard applies to all textile products (such as cloth, wadding, thread, bedclothes, and home furnishings) and other porous materials.
It takes 3-4 days to complete this test.
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we perform this test using the following bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352), MRSA (ATCC 33591), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708), Candida albicans (MTCC 3017). Additional strains can be added on request.
The test detects bacteriostatic activity of textile materials. Specimens of the test material and untreated controls are placed in contact with nutrient agar previously streaked with a test bacterium. After incubation, a clear area of interrupted growth along the sides and underneath the test material indicates antibacterial activity.
Test specimens are cut into rectangular pieces with dimensions of 25 x 50 mm as recommended.
After incubation, the plates are examined for interruption of bacterial growth along the streaks beneath the specimen and a clear zone of inhibition beyond its edge. The width of the inhibition zone is calculated and reported.
The test is a quick and easily executed qualitative method for determining antibacterial activity. It provides evidence of antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria which makes it useful for routine quality control and screening tests.
No, this test is specifically designed for textile materials.
This test provides a standard method to demonstrate the presence and effectiveness of antibacterial agents in textiles thus supporting product development and quality assurance.
The test method is unsuitable for materials that can prevent the diffusion of the antibacterial agent or those containing antibacterial-neutralizing substances. It also does not provide a quantitative evaluation of antibacterial activity.
Regular testing is recommended to ensure consistent antibacterial performance of the textiles, especially after multiple washings and under various conditions.
The clear area (no bacterial growth) around the textile sample is measured to determine the zone of inhibition which indicates the antibacterial efficacy of the fabric.
AATCC 147 evaluates antibacterial activity based on the zone of inhibition while AATCC 100 is a quantitative test that measures the percentage reduction in bacteria over time.
Nutrient agar is mostly used as it supports the growth of a wide range of bacteria. However, specific types of agar can be used depending on the bacterial strain being tested.
Changes in temperature and incubation time can affect the growth rate of the bacteria and the performance of the antimicrobial agents thus providing inaccurate results.
Yes the standard can be used to test silver-based antibacterial-treated fabrics.
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