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AATCC 30 Antifungal Textile Testing
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Summary
AATCC 30 testing is performed to evaluate the resistance of textiles to fungal growth, mildew formation, and rot under controlled laboratory conditions helping textile manufacturers assess material durability and performance in mold-prone environments. Our lab performs AATCC 30 testing to deliver reproducible data that supports mildew and rot-resistance claims, product development, and compliance decisions.
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Quick understanding of the test
AATCC 30 – Antifungal Textile Test
- Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888)
- Chaetomium globosum
- Penicillium varians
- Trichoderma viride
AATCC 30 has four different types of tests , each designed for specific exposure and types of textile tested Know more
- AATCC 30 Test I – Soil Burial test method
- AATCC 30 Test II – Agar Plate, Chaetomium globosum
- AATCC 30 Test III – Agar Plate, Aspergillus niger
- AATCC 30 Test IV – Humidity Jar, Mixed Spore Suspension
Note : AT MIS, we perform AATCC 30 Test III
- Confirms resistance to fungal and mildew growth on textiles
- Supports quality, durability, and standard compliance claims
Turnaround Time
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What Is the AATCC 30 Test?
The AATCC 30 test is a standard laboratory procedure developed by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists to evaluate the mildew and rot resistance of textile materials and other porous substrates against fungal attack. The method helps determine the effectiveness of antifungal or fungistatic treatments applied to fabrics, fibers, or related products. The evaluation is based on visible fungal growth, microscopic observation, and in some cases, measurement of tensile strength loss (for rot resistance).
What Does AATCC 30 (Part III) Evaluate in Textiles?
AATCC Test Method 30, Test III is a qualitative test that uses a high concentration of the fungal species Aspergillus niger to evaluate textile resistance to fungal growth. Unlike tests that measure fiber strength loss, this method evaluates the aesthetic and surface impact of fungal growth, including discoloration, staining, or unsightly colonies. Results are evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically, giving a clear conclusion of how fungi affect the appearance of textiles.
Textile Products Suitable for AATCC 30 (Test III)
The AATCC 30 test method can be used for various textiles such as –
- Cotton
- Rayon
- Nylon
- Silk
- Wool
- Linen
- Polyester
- Co-acrylic
- Spandex
- Viscose
- Sandbags
- Tarpaulins
- Tents
- and more.
Fungal Strains Used in AATCC 30 (Part 111) Testing
Organisms typically used in this method include Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888)
Test Duration, Conditions, and Evaluation Criteria
Parameter | AATCC 30 Test Conditions |
Test Duration | Typically up to 14 days of incubation |
Test temperature | 30 ± 2 °C |
Sample size | Test sample cut in circles with 3.8 ± 0.5 cm diameter |
Result Interpretation | Rated as
lower or no growth indicates higher resistance |
Test Methodology
AATCC 30 Test III – Agar Plate Method, Aspergillus niger
Test procedure
- A culture of Aspergillus niger is allowed to grow for 14 days and the resulting spores are then harvested, diluted to prepare an inoculum.
- Both control and treated specimens are cut to approximately 3.8 ± 0.5 cm in diameter.
- Mineral salts agar plates are prepared for each specimen. Each plate is evenly inoculated with 0.5 mL of the prepared fungal inoculum, and both test and control specimens are moistened with a non-ionic wetting agent to enhance absorption of the inoculum.
- After placement on the agar surface, each specimen is directly inoculated with fungal suspension.
- Plates are then incubated at 30 ± 2 °C for 14 days.
- After the incubation period, the specimens are evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically
- Fungal growth is evaluated according to a standardized grading scale to determine the antifungal efficacy of the treated material.
Why AATCC 30 Testing Is Important for Textile Manufacturers
- Assesses antifungal performance of the products prior to the market launch
- Supports antifungal, mildew-resistant, and rot-resistant product claims
- Minimizes the risk of product failures in humid or high-exposure environments
- Helps improve textile durability and long-term performance
- Strengthens credibility with buyers, brands, and regulatory stakeholders
- Identifies formulation or treatment gaps early in product development
AATCC 30 vs Other test standards
Parameter | AATCC 30 | ISO 13629-2 |
Purpose | To assess antifungal activity of textiles to mildew and rot. | To determine the antifungal activity of textiles using a plate count method. |
Test Microorganisms | Aspergillus niger | Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus brasiliensis |
Scope of Products | Textiles like cotton, silk, wool, sandbags, tarpaulin, rayon, spandex etc | Textiles including fibres, yarns, fabrics, apparel, home textiles, and industrial goods. |
Incubation Time | Longer (14 days) | Shorter (typically ~48 hours) |
Results Interpretation | Visual and microscopic observation of fungal growth | Quantifies fungal growth by colony count (CFU) |
Strengths of AATCC 30
- The test method uses stringent conditions which makes it a good indicator of antifungal activity of the test specimen compared to less stringent test methods
- This method has a lesser incubation time of 14 days, allowing the quicker turnaround in comparison to other test methods.
Limitations of AATCC 30
- This standard test is limited to Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275.
- The results are qualitatively evaluated and do not provide precise measurements of fungal growth inhibition or quantitative data on material degradation.
- The high test stringency may underestimate the efficacy of milder antifungal finishes.
Why Choose MIS
MIS performs AATCC 30 antifungal activity testing to evaluate the resistance of treated textiles to fungal and mildew growth under controlled laboratory conditions. This method is widely used for apparel, home textiles, and industrial fabrics used in environments prone to moisture and fungal exposure. Our experts strictly follow AATCC standard protocols to generate accurate, reliable, and reproducible results that support antifungal, mildew-resistant, and durability performance claims prior to market release.
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Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
Yes. AATCC 30 (especially Test IV – Humidity Jar) is designed to simulate high-humidity conditions typical of outdoor and tropical environments.
No. Washing durability must be evaluated separately, with laundering performed before AATCC 30 testing.
It takes 4-5 weeks to complete this test.
Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888).
Results are interpreted qualitatively based on visible fungal growth compared to controls. They can be reported as no growth, microscopic growth and macroscopic growth based on the visual observation of the fungal colonies.
This test complies with industry standards for textile safety by following stringent protocols for evaluating the mildew and rot resistance of textiles.
Conducting the AATCC 30 test helps evaluate how effectively textiles resist fungal growth such as mold and mildew. It ensures that antifungal finishes perform as intended, improving product durability, hygiene, and compliance with international quality standards.
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.
Yes. AATCC 30 is widely recognized and accepted globally for textile performance evaluation.
AATCC 30 is not mandatory, but it is one of widely used standard to technically substantiate antifungal or mildew-resistance claims.
Mildew resistance refers to preventing surface fungal growth and staining. Rot resistance refers to preventing fiber degradation and loss of material strength.
Yes.
Yes. The method is applicable to natural, synthetic, and blended textile materials.
Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888)
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