Anti-microbial capacity is determined by the power to inhibit growth of microorganisms (bacteriostatic and/or fungistatic power) or through the elimination of some of the microorganisms present in a specific habitat (bactericidal and/or fungicidal power).

The application of textiles in the hospital sector and for personal hygiene is of great importance, given that with the right active agents used against the most common microorganisms in these two environments, these articles act as preventative mechanisms against nosocomial illnesses (infection contracted by a patient during their stay at a hospital, for example, through Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus – MRSA). In these textile sectors, preferably, the material should possess bacteriostatic or fungistatic properties rather than bactericidal/fungicidal, as this inhibits the generation of resistant species.

In the field of personal hygiene (sanitary towels, nappies etc), an active antimicrobial article against pathogenic species guarantees protection against possible infections.

AITEX, through standardised regulations, carries out tests to determine the inhibition of microbial and fungal growth capacity, to certify the product’s anti-microbial capacity.