This document describes a method to determine the basic antibacterial properties of textiles and porous materials and articles treated with a biocide with the intension of introducing disinfectant / hygienic properties. Samples are inoculated with defined suspensions of microorganisms and then incubated. The changes in the size of the populations both over time and on treated compared with untreated materials are used to describe the basic antimicrobial properties of the materials. The results obtained may not describe the performance of the treated materials under normal conditions of use. Changes in v1.03 Typographical corrections.
Treated Articles
About
The main focus of the IBRG Treated Articles Group is the development of methods to measure the activity of materials ands articles that have been treated with the intention of adding antimicrobial functionality (typically hygiene-related ones) to them, rather than simply preserving their properties and function.
A collaboration with SIAA helped to validate the conversion of JIS Z 2801 into ISO 22196. A project supporting the production of an OECD Guidance Document on basic efficacy testing of treated articles resulted in a pair of harmonised protocols for porous and non-porous materials. These are also now available as IBRG test methods: the one for porous materials has been modified further to improve its handling of less moisture retentive materials.
Activities have progressed since towards producing methods that explore the functionality of such materials under simulated realistic conditions. The aim is to provide frameworks that can be employed to support claims made for treated articles and materials for regulatory approval. A number of exposure scenarios have been defined and work is focussed on methodologies that can simulate them. Several of these have been published in an OECD Guidance Document and incorporated into the guidance on efficiacy determination for the EU and UK Biocidal Product.
The group is also exploring in-vitro tests for treatments intended to prevent / reduce the formation of odour in textiles.
Latest Reports
Documents
IBRG Methods
Quantitative Method for Evaluating Bactericidal Activity of Textiles and Porous Materials and Articles
IBRG TEX13-005.05
£150.00
Quantitative Method for Evaluating Bactericidal Activity of Porous / Absorbent Materials
IBRG TA22-004.01
In the previous version of this method (IBRG TEX 13/005) a fixed volume of inoculum is applied to a fixed weight of the test material. However, this does not take account the absorption characteristics of the material under test and in poorly absorbent materials the inoculum is not retained and pools below the sample, whereas in highly absorbent materials it fails to contact all of the sample. This results in a poor estimation of the antimicrobial properties of the material under test. This version of the method takes the absorbency of the material into account.
£150.00