Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Disinfectants Used in a Low Temperature Laundering Procedure for Textiles
Research and development
Authors:
- Fijan Sabina
Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia - Šostar-Turk Sonja
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
 Full text | Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the disinfection effect of three disinfection agents (sodium chlorate (I), a combination of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide alone) in washing procedures at a low temperature (30 °C). The disinfection effect was determined using two indicator bacteria: Enterococcus faecium and Enterobacter aerogenes which were inoculated on pieces of cotton previously contaminated with artificial sweat to simulate real laundering conditions, and then they underwent the laundering procedures chosen. It was determined that the disinfection effect was appropriate for one of the three disinfection agents at 30 °C for a duration of the main washing of 43 min, after which both bacteria were inactivated. E. faecium proved to be more resistant as it survived after 43 min of main washing using two of the three disinfectants chosen. No bacteria were found on the cotton pieces after rinsing neither due to a disinfection effect nor their transfer into the washing bath. Low temperature washing procedures can prove to be effective with appropriate disinfectants, bath ratio, duration of laundering procedure and mechanical action. All disinfectants must be carefully chosen for particular laundering procedures in order to achieve efficient disinfection. This is important for sensitive users of textiles such as children, elderly people, and people with impaired immune systems, especially in hospitals. |
Tags: laundering, textiles, indicators, disinfection, chemo-thermal process
Citation: Fijan S., Šostar-Turk S.; Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Disinfectants Used in a Low Temperature Laundering Procedure for Textiles. FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2010, Vol. 18, No. 1 (78) pp. 89-92.