2. Introduction
In the present day world most
of us are very conscious about
our hygiene and cleanliness.
Clothing and textile materials
are not only the carriers of
microorganisms such as
pathogenic bacteria, odor
generating bacteria and mold
fungi, but also good media for
the growth of the
microorganisms. To prevent
such problem textile treated
with Bio shield AM 500 .
3. Microbes
Microbes are the tiniest
creatures not seen by
the naked eye. They
include a variety of
micro organisms like
bacteria, fungi, algae
and viruses. Bacteria are
unicellular organisms,
which grow very rapidly
under warmth and
moisture.
4. Microbes leads on Textile
• Fungi cause multiple problems to textiles including
discoloration, colored stains, and fiber damage.
• Bacteria are not as damaging to fibers, but can produce
some fiber damage, unpleasant odors and a slick,
slimy feel.
• Wool is more likely to suffer bacterial attack than
cotton.
• Cotton is more likely than wool to be attacked by fungi.
5. Aspects of Anti-Microbial
Protection
Two different aspects of antimicrobial
protection provided by chemical
finishes can be distinguished-
•The first is the protection of the
textile user against pathogenic or
odor causing microorganisms
(hygiene finishes).
•The second aspect is the protection
of the textile itself from damage
caused by mold, mildew or rot
producing microorganisms.
6. Necessity of Anti- Bacterial Finishes
Antimicrobial treatment for textile
materials is necessary to fulfill the
following objectives:
• To avoid cross infection by
pathogenic micro organisms.
• To control the infestation by
microbes.
• To arrest metabolism in
microbes in order to reduce the
formation odor.
• To safeguard the textile
products from staining,
discoloration and quality
deterioration.
7. REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH
• Durability to washing, dry-cleaning and hot
pressing.
• Selective activity to undesirable micro organisms.
• Should not produce harmful effects to the
manufacturer, user and the
• environment.
• Effective control of bacteria, molds and fungi
• Compatibility with the chemical processes.
• Easy method of application. No deterioration of
fabric quality.
• Resistant to body fluids; and resistant to
disinfections/ sterilization.
8. ANTIMICROBIAL TEXTILES FABRICATION METHODS
The methods of fabrication of antimicrobial
textiles can be classified in two principal
categories:
• Fabrics with antimicrobial post-treatment.
• Fabrics with antimicrobial fibers .
9. Anti-Microbial Agent
Antimicrobials are defined
as the agents that either
kill microorganisms or
simply inhibit their growth.
The degree of activity is
denoted by:
• «-cidal»: agent that kill
microorganisms.
• «-static»: agents that
inhibits microorganisms’
growth.
10. Mechanisms of Anti-Microbial finishes
These products can be divided into
two types
based on the mode of attack on
microbes-
• One type consists of chemicals
that can be considered to
operate by a controlled-release
mechanism.
• The second type of antimicrobial
finish consists of molecules that
are chemically bound to fiber
surfaces.
11. Controlled-Release Mechanism
• The antimicrobial is slowly released from a reservoir
either on the fabric surface or in the interior of the
fiber.
• This ‘leaching’ type of antimicrobial can be very
effective against microbes on the fiber surface or in the
surrounding environment.
• However, eventually the reservoir will be depleted and
the finish will no longer be effective.
• In addition, the antimicrobial that is released to the
environment may interfere with other desirable
microbes, such as those present in waste treatment
facilities
12. Chemically Bound to Fiber Surfaces
Mechanism
• These products can control only those
microbes that are present on the fiber surface,
not in the surrounding environment.
• ‘Bound’ antimicrobials, because of their
attachment to the fibre, can potentially
– be abraded away
– or become deactivated
– and lose long term durability.
13. Conclusions
The finish removes or kills the bacteria and
parasites present on the surface of the
material or fabric and protect us from
different diseases that other faces
commonly. Its major role is to resist the
bacteria and protect the material from them,
the finishing agents has plays an important
role in it like Chitosan, Triclosan, and Benzyl
Benzoate. So, if we can take some of these
precautionary measures we cannot harm
with the viruses and bacterial infections that
are commonly transmits from one to an
other and can easy to lead happy life.