Quantitative methods based on number of microorganisms counted before and after contact with textiles, are applied for the estimation of bioactive properties of textiles. Reliable results of estimation textiles biological activity can only be obtained by choosing the right method of investigation. The article presents the comparison of quantitative methods of estimation antimicrobial properties of bioactive textiles and elaboration of decision scheme enabling the choice of the right method. The basic criteria of the methods choice are: kind of textiles, particularly their hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties and application of finished article. The other important factors considerably influencing the results of quantitative measurements are: strain type of the test microorganisms, contact time of textiles with microorganisms and method of textiles sterilization before investigation.
Artykuł analizuje porównawczo metody jakościowe badania aktywności przeciwdrobnoustrojowej bioaktywnych wyrobów włókienniczych. Przedstawiony przegląd metod powinien ułatwić wybór odpowiedniej metody badania oraz mikroorganizmów testowych.
EN
Bioactive textiles have widespread application in textile industry, medicine and protection of employees against biological factors. The first part of the series of articles about antimicrobial activity of textiles presents the review of qualitative methods applied for the estimation of properties of bioactive textiles such as woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, fibres and others. Qualitative methods are mostly used in screening investigations of numerous samples and selection of the most effective textiles. Textiles investigated by these methods should be characterized by the diffusion of active component to agar. In all qualitative methods the activity is estimated by subjective observation of inhibition of microorganisms growth.