**4. Protection of fibres against microbial degradation**

Control of environmental conditions during storage, transportation and use is an effective method for protecting fibres against biodeterioration. This involves the maintenance of constant environmental conditions which are unfavourable to microorganisms, with the use of ventilation and air-conditioning devices. The temperature in storage rooms should be maintained at 18–20°C, and the air relative humidity should not exceed 60% (Szostak-Kot, 2005).

To combat the development of microorganisms, chemical compounds known as **biocides** are used. These are added at various stages of fibre production. Biocides make it possible to eliminate microorganisms effectively, but if used improperly may cause damage to the health of the user.

Modern biocides are expected to satisfy several basic criteria (Figure 1): high effectiveness at low concentrations (of the order of ppm) against a wide spectrum of microorganisms, absence of increased immunity of microorganisms, lack of effect on the properties of the fabric, absence of toxic or allergenic action or irritant action to the skin and mucous membranes in humans and animals, high biodegradability following application, good water solvency, low volatility, absence of smell, high stability (durability), absence of corrosive action on technical materials, and favourable price.


**Physical features** of fabrics, such as fabric thickness and density of weave, may enable the spread of microorganisms and processes of fabric destruction (thinner fabrics with a looser weave are subject to more rapid decomposition). The microbiological decomposition of a fabric is also affected by the substances added to the fabric, such as dyes, glues and treatments. These may provide an additional source of food for microorganisms, or else may have a negative effect on their development (Szostak-Kot, 2005). Many substances currently used in the textile industry are characterized in terms of susceptibility to microbiological

Control of environmental conditions during storage, transportation and use is an effective method for protecting fibres against biodeterioration. This involves the maintenance of constant environmental conditions which are unfavourable to microorganisms, with the use of ventilation and air-conditioning devices. The temperature in storage rooms should be maintained at 18–20°C, and the air relative humidity should not exceed 60% (Szostak-Kot,

To combat the development of microorganisms, chemical compounds known as **biocides** are used. These are added at various stages of fibre production. Biocides make it possible to eliminate microorganisms effectively, but if used improperly may cause damage to the

Modern biocides are expected to satisfy several basic criteria (Figure 1): high effectiveness at low concentrations (of the order of ppm) against a wide spectrum of microorganisms, absence of increased immunity of microorganisms, lack of effect on the properties of the fabric, absence of toxic or allergenic action or irritant action to the skin and mucous membranes in humans and animals, high biodegradability following application, good water solvency, low volatility, absence of smell, high stability (durability), absence of

**Author , year** 

Abdel-Kareem et al., 1997; Bartley et al., 1984; Evans, 1996; Flannigan et al., 2001;Kowalik, 1980; Kubicek et al.,1988

decomposition or effect on microorganisms.

2005).

health of the user.

**4. Protection of fibres against microbial degradation** 

corrosive action on technical materials, and favourable price.

**Cotton Fungi:** *Aspergillus* sp. *(A.versicolor, A.flavus,* 

*Verticillum* sp.*;* 

*bispora* 

**Nonvowens Microorganisms isolated from nonwovens and/or able to biodegradation of nonwoven** 

> *A.fumigatus, A.niger, A.terreus, A.nidulans, A.ustus, A.fischerii, A.flaschentraegeri);Penicillium* sp. *(P.notatum, P.citrinum, P.funiculosum, P.cyclopium, P.janthinellum); Cladosporium* sp. *(C.macrocarpium, C.herbarum); Cheatomimum* sp. *(Ch.globusum, Ch.cochlioides); Alternaria* sp. *(A.tennuis, A.geophila); Trichoderma* sp. *(T.viride, T.reesei); Fusarium nivale; Myrothecium* sp.*; Memnoniella* sp.*; Stachybotrys* sp.*;*

**Bacteria:** *Cytophaga* sp.*; Cellulomonas* sp.*; Bacillus* sp.*; Clostridium* sp.*; Sporocytophaga* sp.*; Microbispora* 


Table 1. Fibre-degrading microorganisms

Microbial Degradation of Woven Fabrics and Protection Against Biodegradation 275

The obtaining of nanoparticles of metals or nanostructured fibres has, thanks to the increase in surface area, led to the achievement of new characteristics desirable in the textile industry, and significantly greater effectiveness in destroying microorganisms. High activity have: TiO2 nanoparticles, metallic and non metallic TiO2 nanocomposites, titania nanotubes (TNTs), silver nanoparticles, silver-based nanostructured materiale, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles and nano-rods, copper nanoparticles, metallic and inorganic dendrimers nanocomposite, nanocapsules cyclodextrins containing nanoparticles. New methods of obtaining such fibres with the addition of nanoparticles are constantly being developed, and the stabilization of nanoparticles on the surface of fibres is also of great importance

One of the conditions which a biocide is required to satisfy is its safety, and therefore much attention is currently being paid to substances of natural origin which are not toxic or allergic and are easily biodegradable. Some natural dyes and substances extracted from plant seeds and fruit contain active substances which slow the development of

**Mechanisms of antimicrobial** 

Inhibition of DNA replication, denaturation of proteins, abnormal functioning of the cytoplasmic membrane, outflow of the low molecular masses intracellular components from cell, disruption of transport of electrons and protons

Damage and dysfunction of cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall, outflow of the low molecular masses intracellular components from cell, guanidine - inhibition of

DNA replication, protein

Inhibition of DNA replication, denaturation of proteins, damage and dysfunction of cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall, outflow of

the low molecular masses

intracellular components from cell

Denaturation of proteins, damage and dysfunction of cytoplasmic

denaturation

**activity** 

microorganisms and can be used to produce biologically active fabrics (Table 6).

**activity** 

viruses

viruses

gram positive, gram negative bacteria, fungi,

gram positive, gram negative bacteria, fungi,

gram positive, bacteria (including *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*) , gram negative bacteria, viruses

gram positive, gram negative

(Dastjerdii et al., 2009; Dastjerdi & Montazer, 2010, Silver, 2003).

**The active substances Antimicrobial** 

**Inorganic compounds** 

dioxide, metal salts

**Nitrogen compounds**  aliphatic amines such as N-(3-

ammonium chloride,

aminopropyl)-N-

metals such as silver, zinc, copper, metal oxides such as titanium

dodecylopropano-1 ,3-diamine; bis (3-aminopeopylo) octylamine; quaternary alkyl ammonium salts such as chloride, didecyl dimethyl

alkylobenzylodimetyloamomoniu m chloride; guanidine, alkyl of aza compounds, oksaaza, tiaaza aromatic compounds

**Phenol and its compounds**  mono cyclic compounds such as chlorocresol, chloroxylenol, bisphenol compounds, triclosan, dichlorophen, biphenyl-2-ol

**Halogens and their compounds**  inorganic: chlorine, iodine, sodium

Fig 1. Features of good biocide for nonwovens

There are few active compounds that meet all of these requirements, and therefore work is still being done to find substances for use in fabrics with the desired properties.
