There are various methods for testing the antibacterial performance of textiles, which can be mainly divided into two categories: qualitative testing and quantitative testing.

1、 Qualitative testing

Testing principle

Place the antibacterial sample tightly on the surface of an agar plate inoculated with a certain amount of specific microorganisms. After a period of contact culture, observe whether there is an antibacterial zone around the sample and whether there is microbial growth on the contact surface between the sample and the agar to determine whether the sample has antibacterial properties.

impact assessment

Qualitative testing is suitable for determining whether a product has antibacterial effects. When there is an antibacterial zone around the sample or no bacterial growth on the surface of the sample in contact with the culture medium, it indicates that the sample has antibacterial properties. However, the strength of the antibacterial activity of textiles cannot be judged by the size of the antibacterial zone. The size of the antibacterial zone can reflect the solubility of the antibacterial agent used in the antibacterial product.

2、 Quantitative testing

Testing principle

After quantitatively inoculating the test bacterial suspension onto samples that have undergone antibacterial treatment and control samples that have not undergone antibacterial treatment, the antibacterial effect of textiles can be quantitatively evaluated by comparing the bacterial growth in the antibacterial test samples and control samples after a certain period of cultivation. In quantitative detection methods, commonly used methods include absorption method and oscillation method.

impact assessment

Quantitative testing methods reflect the antibacterial activity of antibacterial textiles in the form of percentages or numerical values such as inhibition rate or inhibition value. The higher the inhibition rate and inhibition value, the better the antibacterial effect. Some testing standards provide corresponding evaluation criteria for the effectiveness.