Test Methods - Glossary
This section includes the definitions of biologically related terms associated with Bioactive Textiles used in the following sections. The terms are displayed in alphabetical order.
AATCC: The American Association of Textile & Colorists. The AATCC is the world's largest technical and scientific society devoted to the advancement of textile chemistry.
AATCC Test Method 30: The two purposes of this test method are to determine the susceptibility of the textile materials to mildew and rot and to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides on textile materials.
AATCC Test Method 100: This test method provides a quantitative procedure for the evaluation of the degree of antibacterial activity. Assessment of antibacterial activity finishes on textile material is determined by the degree of antibacterial activity intended in the use of such materials. If only bacteriostatic activity (inhibition of multiplication) is intended, a qualitative procedure (like Test Method 147 below) which clearly demonstrates antibacterial activity as contrasted with lack of such activity by an untreated specimen may be acceptable. However, if bactericidal activity is intended or implied, quantitative evaluation is necessary. Quantitative evaluation also provides a clearer picture for possible uses of such treated textile materials.
AATCC Test Method 147: The objective is to detect bacteriostatic activity on textile materials. The Parallel Streak Method has filled a need for a relatively quick and easily executed qualitative method to determine antibacterial activity of diffusible antimicrobial agents on treated textile materials.
Angiogenesis: The growth and proliferation of blood vessels.
Antimicrobial Fabric or Fiber: A fabric or fiber that destroys microorganisms which might carry disease. The fabric or fiber must be capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. The antimicrobial active material(s) should either be covalently bonded to the textile material or, if released during use, it should be nontoxic and generally recognized as such. Antimicrobial agents can be either biostatic or biocidal. In many cases the same agent can be either of these depending on its concentration. Accordingly, fabrics or fibers can be biostatic or biocidal depending on the active agent and its concentration.
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM is a non-governmental organization committed to the development of test methods and voluntary standards for materials, products, systems and services.
ASTM 2149: This test method is used for quantitatively determining the antimicrobial activity of immobilized antimicrobial agents under dynamic contact conditions. This dynamic shake flask test was developed to overcome difficulties in using classical test methods to evaluate substrate-bound antimicrobials (i.e. non-leaching antimicrobials)
ASTM F 1670: ASTM standard test method for resistance of materials used in protective clothing to penetration by synthetic blood. This test method is not designed to test the bioactive qualities of fabrics, but the physical qualities of the fabric.
ASTM F 1671: ASTM standard test method for resistance of materials used in protective clothing to penetration of blood-borne pathogens using phi-x 174 bacteriophage penetration as a test system. This test method examines the passage of viruses through the fabric based on the physical characteristics of the fabric.
ASTM F 1819: ¡°Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood Using a Mechanical Pressure Technique¡±, uses mechanical pressure as opposed to hydrostatic pressure to simulate the leaning and pressing that may occur during surgery. This test is quantitative and determines the penetration pressure of the test material. This test method can be used to categorize and rank various types of materials, especially those materials that fail ASTM F 1670 or ASTM F 1671.
Bactericidal: A bactericidal agent kills bacteria exposed to it. Bacteria exposed to biocidal fabrics or fibers are eventually destroyed.
Bacteriostatic: A bacteriostatic agent inhibits further growth of bacteria without killing it. As long as the bacterium is exposed to the biostatic agent, biostatic fabric or biostatic fiber, the bacterium will not be able to proliferate. However, once the bacterium is not exposed to the biostatic material, it will be able to proliferate.
Barrier Textiles: Barrier Textiles are intended to shield the user from fine particulate matter or liquids. Barrier Textiles, such as poly-reinforced or microporous membrane reinforced gowns and drapes, are necessary in cases of high risk of contamination by infectious or toxic materials. The protection from the infectious or toxic substances in barrier fabrics is primarily based on physical properties of the fabric, which do not permit passage of fine particulate matter or liquids through them. However, barrier materials may also be capable of removing viable infectious agent (e.g. virus) from suspension by binding the agent particles or by inactivating them.
Bioactive Fabric or Fiber: A fabric or fiber which has an effect on living organisms which come in contact with it.
Biocidal: A biocidal agent kills microorganisms exposed to it. Microorganisms exposed to biocidal fabrics or fibers are eventually destroyed.
Biocompatibility: The bioactive textile materials should not-either directly or through the release of their material constituents-produce adverse local or systemic effects, be carcinogenic or produce adverse reproductive and developmental effects.
Biostatic: A biostatic agent inhibits further growth of a microorganism without killing it. As long as the microorganism is exposed to the biostatic agent, biostatic fabric or biostatic fiber, the microorganism will not be able to proliferate. However, once the microorganism is not exposed to the biostatic material, it will be able to proliferate.
Epithelization: The process during wound healing in which epithelial cells grow over the wounded area.
Fungicidal: A fungicidal agent kills fungi exposed to it. This activity is also referred to as antimycotic. Fungi exposed to fungicidal fabrics or fibers are eventually destroyed.
Fungistatic: A fungistatic agent inhibits further growth of fungi without killing it. As long as the fungus is exposed to the biostatic agent, biostatic fabric or biostatic fiber, the fungus will not be able to proliferate. However, once the fungus is not exposed to the biostatic material, it will be able to proliferate.
Local Toxicity: Local toxicity is defined as the effect of a textile on the body area that has been exposed to the textile.
Microbes or Microorganisms: A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Ringworm: The term "ringworm" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. (The early belief was that the infection was due to a worm, which it is not, although the name has stuck.) The medical term for ringworm is "tinea."
Systemic Toxicity: Systemic toxicity is the effect of a substance released from the textile on body tissues after absorption into the bloodstream.
