ASTM E3227-20

• Abstract:

  SIGNIFICANCE AND USE; 3.1 Textiles are often treated with antimicrobial agents to reduce the growth of odor-causing organisms during use, in storage, or while waiting to be laundered, or both . Additionally, antimicrobial agents are used to reduce or control microbial growth on the textile that may affect the material’s visual, chemical or physical integrity, or both. ; 3.2 Anti-fungal test methods that measure antimicrobial behavior on treated textiles or other porous or non-porous substrates do exist (Guide E3152, Test Method E2722, AATCC TM30), but they were developed for either specific types of antimicrobial agents or put under unrealistic conditions such that other agents are disadvantaged or end-use conditions exaggerated. ; 3.3 This test practice is designed to measure relative antimicrobial activity of all common antimicrobial agents used to treat porous materials such as textiles without positive or negative bias for one type of chemistry or product over another. The practice is designed to more closely simulate conditions that might be experienced in the actual end-use of the porous treated materials (for example, low initial fungal spore exposure and limited available nutrients but with ideal conditions to grow). This practice is designed to demonstrate a significant reduction in visible surface fungal growth on a porous treated material (such as textiles) relative to an identical untreated control.; SCOPE; 1.1 This test practice determines the relative fungal growth inhibition properties of materials treated with an active biocidal agent. Samples of porous treated materials, such as textiles, are inoculated with a defined suspension of fungal conidia or spores and then incubated. The inhibition of growth or visible growth present on treated compared with identical untreated materials is used to measure relative antifungal properties of the treated identical materials. ; 1.2 This test practice must be performed by individuals experienced and adept in microbiological procedures and in facilities suitable for the handling of the species under test. ; 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. ; 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.15 - Antimicrobial Agents

• Refers: ASTM E2722-09 - Standard Test Method for Using Seeded-Agar for the Screening Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity in Fabric and Air Filter Media
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2009

Overview

ASTM E3227-20 is the Standard Test Practice for Qualitative Assessment of Antifungal Activity on Textiles, developed by ASTM International. This standard outlines a procedure to qualitatively assess the antifungal properties of textiles treated with biocidal agents. By simulating real-life conditions experienced by treated porous materials, the standard reliably measures the capacity of treated textiles to inhibit fungal growth as compared to untreated controls.

This test practice supports the textile industry in evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments designed to prevent the growth of odor-causing fungi and protect the visual, chemical, and physical integrity of textile materials. ASTM E3227-20 is internationally recognized and developed according to the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee principles.

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Key Topics

• Antifungal activity assessment: The standard defines procedures for inoculating textile samples with a controlled suspension of fungal conidia or spores, then incubating them to evaluate inhibition of visible fungal growth.
• Comparison against untreated controls: Relative effectiveness is measured by comparing treated samples to identical untreated ones under identical incubation conditions.
• Simulated use conditions: The methodology is designed to mirror realistic exposure scenarios for treated textiles, such as low fungal spore loads and limited nutrients, but with optimal conditions for growth.
• Specimen preparation and inoculation: This includes steps for preparing test and control specimens, applying fungal suspension, and incubation at specified temperature and humidity.
• Assessment procedures: Visible surface fungal growth is rated over a set period, and digital documentation of results is advised.
• Microbiological expertise required: The practice must be performed by trained personnel in suitable laboratory facilities.
• Comprehensive reporting: All relevant details-including sample identification, incubation conditions, growth ratings, and digital imagery-are included in test reports.
• Emphasis on safety: The standard requires adherence to established safety, health, and environmental guidelines.

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Applications

• Textile product development: Manufacturers use ASTM E3227-20 to screen and validate antifungal finishes on textiles intended for apparel, upholstery, bedding, and technical textiles. It helps demonstrate product claims regarding fungal resistance.
• Quality assurance: The standard supports QC programs by providing a consistent, unbiased means to verify antifungal performance across production batches.
• Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial agents: Laboratories and R&D teams can use the standard to fairly compare the efficacy of different biocidal treatments without favoring a particular chemistry.
• Regulatory compliance and marketing: Meeting ASTM E3227-20 can assist in complying with industry requirements and in substantiating product claims to customers, regulators, and certification bodies.
• Material preservation: Organizations seeking to protect textiles from mold, mildew, and associated degradation can apply this standard to support their choice of antimicrobial solutions.

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Related Standards

• ASTM E3152 - Guide for Standard Test Methods and Practices Available for Determining Antifungal Activity on Natural or Synthetic Substrates Treated with Antimicrobial Agents
• ASTM E2722 - Test Method for Using Seeded-Agar for the Screening Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity in Fabric and Air Filter Media
• AATCC Test Method 30 - Assessment of Antifungal Activity, Mildew, and Rot Resistance of Textile Materials

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ASTM E3227-20 is a valuable benchmark for organizations seeking to measure and compare the antifungal properties of textiles under conditions relevant to real-world use. Following this standard ensures consistent, reliable results that help maintain product quality and durability in the fight against mold and mildew in textiles.

Keywords: ASTM E3227-20, antifungal assessment, textiles, antimicrobial agents, fungal resistance, mold, mildew, qualitative test, textile protection, standard testing practice.

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E3227 − 20
Standard Test Practice for
Qualitative Assessment of Antifungal Activity on Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3227; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 AATCC Standard:
AATCC Test Method 30– Antifungal Activity, Assessment
1.1 This test practice determines the relative fungal growth
on Textile Materials: Mildew and Rot Resistance of
inhibitionpropertiesofmaterialstreatedwithanactivebiocidal
Textile Materials
agent.Samplesofporoustreatedmaterials,suchastextiles,are
inoculated with a defined suspension of fungal conidia or
3. Significance and Use
spores and then incubated. The inhibition of growth or visible
3.1 Textiles are often treated with antimicrobial agents to
growth present on treated compared with identical untreated
reduce the growth of odor-causing organisms during use, in
materials is used to measure relative antifungal properties of
storage, or while waiting to be laundered, or both .
the treated identical materials.
Additionally,antimicrobialagentsareusedtoreduceorcontrol
1.2 This test practice must be performed by individuals microbial growth on the textile that may affect the material’s
visual, chemical or physical integrity, or both.
experienced and adept in microbiological procedures and in
facilities suitable for the handling of the species under test.
3.2 Anti-fungal test methods that measure antimicrobial
behavior on treated textiles or other porous or non-porous
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
substratesdoexist(GuideE3152,TestMethodE2722,AATCC
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
TM30), but they were developed for either specific types of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
antimicrobial agents or put under unrealistic conditions such
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
that other agents are disadvantaged or end-use conditions
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
exaggerated.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.3 This test practice is designed to measure relative anti-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
microbial activity of all common antimicrobial agents used to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
treat porous materials such as textiles without positive or
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
negativebiasforonetypeofchemistryorproductoveranother.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
The practice is designed to more closely simulate conditions
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
that might be experienced in the actual end-use of the porous
treated materials (for example, low initial fungal spore expo-
2. Referenced Documents
sureandlimitedavailablenutrientsbutwithidealconditionsto
2.1 ASTM Standards:
grow). This practice is designed to demonstrate a significant
E2722Test Method for Using Seeded-Agar for the Screen-
reduction in visible surface fungal growth on a porous treated
ing Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity in Fabric and
material (such as textiles) relative to an identical untreated
Air Filter Media
control.
E3152GuideforStandardTestMethodsandPracticesAvail-
able for Determining Antifungal Activity on Natural or 4. Summary of Practice
Synthetic Substrates Treated with Antimicrobial Agents
4.1 This test practice outlines a procedure for (1) preparing
a suitable specimen for testing, (2) inoculating the specimen
with the proper fungal species, (3) exposing the inoculated
This test practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on samples under the appropriate conditions for growth, and (4)
Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct
providing a schedule and guideline for visually rating growth.
responsibility of Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
This test practice is not designed to include all the procedures
CurrenteditionapprovedDec.1,2020.PublishedFebruary2021.DOI:10.1520/
E3227–20
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://
the ASTM website. www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3227 − 20
necessarytomaintainingthepropermicrobiologicaltechniques 7. Reagents
required for providing the most accurate results.
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals should be
usedinalltests.Unlessotherwiseindicated,allreagentsshould
5. Apparatus
conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such
5.1 Balance, capable of weighing to 0.10 g.
specifications are available. Other grades may be used, pro-
5.2 Incubator, or other device capable of maintaining a
vided they are first ascertained to be of sufficiently high purity
constant temperature of 30 °C 6 2 °C and relative humidity of
to permit use without decreasing the accuracy of the determi-
≥85%.
nation.
5.3 Refrigerator, or other device capable of maintaining a 7.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
to water are understood to mean distilled water or water of
temperature of 4 6 2 °C.
equal or higher purity.
5.4 Autoclave, capable of producing 103 kPa (15 psi) of
7.3 SDAplatesandSDBtubescanbepurchasedpreparedor
steam pressure at 121 °C and maintaining it for a minimum of
the SDA and SDB powders can be purchased and prepared
15 min.An autoclave is not necessary if prepared media plates
according to the instructions using standard microbiological
are used.
techniques and equipment.
5.5 pH meter, having an accuracy of calibration of no more
7.4 Spore Diluent Solution—sterile SDB containing
than 6 0.1 pH units to measure pH of buffers, eluents and test
0.05g⁄L of a nontoxic wetting agent such as dioctyl sodium
substance.
sulfosuccinate.
NOTE 1—Apuncture electrode or a flat membrane electrode should be
used for measuring the pH of the agar media. 8. Test Organism
8.1 Aspergillus niger, American Type Culture Collection
5.6 Substrate, Filter Paper Whatman #2 or equivalent.
No. 6275.
5.7 Water Bath, capable of achieving and maintaining a
8.2 Maintain stock cultures of this fungus on an appropriate
temperature of 45 6 2ºC to prevent agar media from solidi-
medium, such as Sabouraud dextrose agar plates or slants.
fying when making culture plates.
Stock cultures can be stored for not more than 4 months at
5.8 20×-40× stereoscope, (Optional).
approximately 3 to 10°C (37 to 50°F). Prior to each
experiment, subculture fungus onto slants or plates and incu-
5.9 Counting Chamber, (Hemocytometer).
bate for 7 to 20 days at 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F) until
conidiation is considered adequate. Use these subcultures in
6. Materials
preparing the spore suspension.
6.1 Dilution tubes, sterile or sterilizable micropipette and
8.3 Prepareasporesuspensionofthetestfungusbypouring
tips, sterile or sterilizable serological pipettes, Pasteur pipets,
into the subculture container 10 mLof sterile water or a sterile
Glass Erlenmeyer Flasks, and other routine microbiological
0.05 g/L solution of a nontoxic wetting agent such as sodium
equipment.
dioctylsulfosuccinate. Swirl or gently agitate the slant or plate
toloo
...