AATCC 100 Antimicrobial Textile Test

AATCC 100 Antimicrobial Fabric Test

"Assessment of Antibacterial Finishes on Textiles"

Welcome to Antimicrobial Test Laboratories' AATCC 100 test method resource page.

Below, you will find a summary of the AATCC 100 test method, along with some of its strengths and weaknesses. The AATCC 100 test method method is designed to quantitatively test the ability of fabrics and textiles to inhibit the growth of microorganisms or kill them, over a 24 hour period of contact.

Note to Textile Manufacturers: Unfortunately, many testing laboratories take major shortcuts when performing the AATCC 100 test method! In our view, it's OK to streamline inconsequential aspects, but never to eliminate method-specified controls, etc. Antimicrobial Test Laboratories runs the full, actual AATCC 100 method.

If you are seeking lot-by-lot testing of an "in- production" antimicrobial fabric for quality assurance purposes, let us know. We offer a modified AATCC 100 testing service that is fast and economical.

The test summary presented below is for educational purposes only - a copy of the current, detailed AATCC Method 100 can be purchased from AATCC at: http://www.aatcc.org/testing/tm_main/index.htm.

Summary of the AATCC 100 Test Method:

The test microorganism is grown in liquid culture.
The concentration of the test microorganism is standardized.
The microbial culture is diluted in a sterile nutritive solution.
Control and test fabric swatches are inoculated with microorganisms.
The inoculation is performed such that the microbial suspension touches only the fabric (see actual method for details).
Bacteria levels on both control and test fabrics are determined at "time zero" by elution in a large volume of neutralizing broth, followed by dilution and plating.
A control is run to verify that the neutralization/elution method effectively neutralizes the antimicrobial agent in the fabric.
Additional inoculated control and test fabrics are allowed to incubate, undisturbed in sealed jars, for 24 hours.
After incubation, microbial concentrations are determined.
Reduction of microorganisms relative to initial concentrations and the control fabric is calculated.

Strengths of the AATCC 100 Test Method:

The method is quantitative and results tend to be reproducible.
The method tests for both bacteriostatic (growth-inhibiting) and bactericidal (bacteria-killing) properties.
Microbial concentrations are standardized, and bacteria are provided with nutrients during the incubation period, which provides them with ample opportunity to grow if fabrics aren't sufficiently antimicrobial. This is in contrast to certain other antimicrobial tests, where microbes are "incubated" in non-nutritive suspensions, which itself may be stressful over long periods.

Weaknesses of the AATCC 100 Test Method:

The method has vague success criteria, meaning that whether or not a tested fabric qualifies as "antimicrobial" may ultimately be decided by the company sponsoring the study (the method states that "the criteria for success must be decided by the interested parties").
The test can become cumbersome if the test fabric doesn't readily absorb liquids (hydrophobic).

Though the AATCC 100 Test has some minor drawbacks, it is an excellent way to quantify the antimicrobial activity level of an antimicrobial fabric. Among the various tests for antimicrobial activity of fabrics, it has emerged as the textile industry's standard.

For more information about the AATCC 100 Test for Antimicrobial Fabrics, Contact the Lab Today!