Abstract:

Between 2000 and 2002 a research project was carried out at the Institute of Natural Fibres, Poznan, on the application of various anti-microbial fibres, including the Amicor Plus fibre (supplied by Accordis Ltd., UK), in the manufacture of textile products. As a result of a comprehensive program of investigation, it was established that a 20% addition of Amicor Plus to the blanket cloth was enough to impart bioactivity to a blanket, and 40% Amicor Plus in the blanket pile inhibits the growth of the bacterium Escherichia coli and the fungi Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The blankets manifested a high level of bioactivity whether Amicor Plus was added when non-dyed and dyed. Tests carried out at the Allergology Centre, Lodz, showed that blankets made with a proportion of Amicor Plus were an effective aid in treating allergy to the household mite.