**3. Conditions favourable for biodegradation of fibres and fabrics**

The rate of microbiological decomposition of fabrics is affected by environmental factors such as air relative humidity, temperature, light, and the properties of the fabrics, chiefly their chemical composition, fibre structure, density and thickness of weave, and the type of substances used in the finishing of the unwoven fabric (Szostak-Kot, 2005).

**High humidity** in a fabric is the most important factor affecting the development of microorganisms. The absorption of water by a fabric depends, among other things, on its hygroscopicity and porosity. A level of fabric relative humidity above 65% increases fibre swelling and favours the development of microorganisms, particularly moulds, on the fabric. The development of bacteria requires a high fabric relative humidity, above 95% (Szostak-Kot, 2009). At the **temperature** used for fabric storage (20–35°C) many microorganisms develop on the fabrics, and the range within which microorganisms develop is significantly greater (4–50°C, excluding extremophilic microorganisms).

All fibres are sensitive to photo-oxidation caused by **light radiation** (particularly ultraviolet and infrared). Ultraviolet radiation in cellulose fibres, such as cotton, causes breakage of the cellulose chain and leads to its decomposition. Wool and silk are also susceptible to photochemical degradation, particularly in the presence of oxygen – for example the photodegradation of fibroin in silk occurs as a result of the breakage of hydrogen bonds and oxidation of tyrosine. Biodegradation of silk may be favoured by prior photodegradation under the action of ultraviolet (Sionkowska & Planecka, 2011). The action of infrared radiation on textile material causes overheating of the surface and leads to many physicochemical changes. Light, increased temperature and atmospheric impurities additionally speed up the process of ageing, and in such conditions fabrics may also be more sensitive to attack by microorganisms (Szostak-Kot, 2009).

Microbial Degradation of Woven Fabrics and Protection Against Biodegradation 273

**Author , year** 

1997

Abdel-Kareem et al.,

Abdel-Kareem et al., 1997; Abdel-Gawada, 1997; Agarwal & Puvathingal, 1969; Błyskal, 2009; Kowalik, 1980; Lewis, 1981; McCarthy & Greaves, 1988; Nigam & Kushwaha, 1992; Safranek & Goos, 1982

Abdel-Kareem et al., 1997; Forlani et al., 2000; Ishiguro & Miyashita, 1996; Nigam et al., 1972; Sato, 1976; Seves et al., 1998

Bailey et al., 1976; ; Cain, 1992; Denizel et al.,1974; Ennis et al., 1978; Nigam et al., 1972; Prijambada et al., 1995; Szostak-Kotowa,

Halim El-Sayed et al., 1996; Howard, 2002; Szostak-Kotowa, 2004; Wales & Sagar, 1988

Szostak-Kotowa, 2004; Yamada et al., 1979;

Zyska, 2001

2004; 2005

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

**Flax Fungi:** *Aspergillus* sp. *(A.flavus, A.fumigatus, A.niger,* 

*Penicillium* sp. (*P.canescens, P.cyclopium,* 

**Silk Fungi:** *Aspergillus* sp. (*A.flavus, A.niger, A.rapei);* 

*Cladosporium* sp.; *Rhizopus* sp.;

**Polyamide Fungi:** *Aspergillus* sp. (*A.niger); Penicillium* sp.

(*B.pallidus); Corynebacterium* sp*.* 

**Polyurethane Fungi:** *Aspergillus terreus; Penicillium* sp.*;*

*Stemphylium* sp.

Table 1. Fibre-degrading microorganisms

**Polyacrylonitrile** 

*Arthrobacter globiformis* 

**Bacteria:** *Arthrobacter* sp.

*cochlioides; Fusarium nivale* 

*Acremonium* sp.*;* 

sp. *(S.fradiae)* 

*paradoxus*

**Wool Fungi:** *Aspergillus* sp. (*A. cervinus, A. fischeri,* 

*A.terreus, A.nidulans, A.ustus, A.fischeri, A.auratus, A.carbonarius, A.proliferans, A.spinulosus); Penicillium*  sp. *P.funiculosum,P.rajstrickii, P.biforme, P.soopi) Trichoderma viride; Alternaria alternata; Cheatomium* 

*A.flavus, A. fumigatus, A.nidulans, A.niger, A.rapier, A.sparsus, A.spinulosus, A.ventii); Chrysosporium* sp.*;* 

*P.granulatum, P.lanoso, P.paxilli, P.soopi); Microsporum* sp.*; Trichopchyton* sp.*; Fusarium* sp.*; Rhizopus* sp.*; Cheatomium* sp.*; Alternaria* sp.*;Ulocladium* sp.*; Stachybotrys chartarum; Scopulariopsis brevicaulis;* 

**Bacteria:** *Bacillus* sp. *(B.mesentericus, B. subtilis, B.cereus, B..mycoides); Pseudomonas* sp.*; Streptomyces* 

**Bacteria:** *Bacillus megaterium; Pseudomomas* sp. (*P.aureofaciens, P.chlororaphis, P.paucimobilis P.cepacia); Serratia* sp.; *Streptomyces* sp.*; Variovorax* 

*(P.janthinellum); Blennoria* sp*.; Monascus* sp.*; Tritirachium oryzae; Absidia* sp.; *Trichosporon* sp.; *Rhodotorula* sp.; white rot *Basidiomycetes* **Bacteria:** *Pseudomonas* sp. *(P.aeruginosa);* 

*Penicillium* sp. (*P.canescens,P.paxilli*); *Chaetomium* sp.;

*Protaminobacter* sp.; *Achromobacte* sp.*; Brevibacterium*  sp.*; Flavobacterium* sp.*; Alcaligenes* sp.*; Bacillus* sp.

*Cladosporium* sp.*; Paecilomyces* sp.*; Alternaria* sp.*; Trichoderma* sp.*; Stachybotrys* sp.; *Chaetomium globusom; Curvularia senegalensis; Fusarium solani; Aureobasidium pullulans; Glicoladium roseum;*

**Bacteria:** *Pseudomonas* sp.*; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus;* 

**Fungi:** *Aspergillus* sp.*; Penicillium* sp.*; Stachybotrys* sp.

**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 decomposition or effect on microorganisms.
