Survival and Redeposition of Fungi During Laundering

Abstract

This research concerned survival and redeposition of the fungus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, on military footwear fabrics (50% wool, 30% nylon, and 20% cotton) subjected to various laundry procedures with water temperatures of 100°, 120°, and 140°F. and detergent concentrations of 0.0 percent and 0.2 percent; and the effect of the two solutions on fiber and fabric. A sequential experimental design was used to analyze data on the duration of survival of Trichophyton mentagrophytes on knit footwear during laundering. Standard test procedures were employed in the inoculation, soiling, and recovery of the microorganism. Fiber and fabric damage was determined through microanalysis and by testing for fabric strength and elongation. Only wash water of 140°F. significantly decreased the survival and redeposition of the organism. The effect of soiling on the inoculated fabric was significant in the number of pits and corrosion in cotton and in the bursting strength of the fabric. Detergent concentration was not significant for all types of damage in the textile fibers or for loss of strength and elongation in fabric. The number of launderings before inoculation was significant in damage for fibers and in loss of bursting strength and elongation.

Sanitation in self-service automatic washers

“…This information is useful to the consumer who is concerned about maintaining adequate levels of sanitation in laundering and plans to use a disinfectant for achieving this goal. The influence of water temperature variations upon microbial survival has been extensively studied and reported (5,9,11,12,(19)(20)(21)23). Because water temperatures are easy to measure and can be controlled, attention should be given to wash temperature when drafting and enforcing regulations that govern sanitation in self-service laundries and establishing protocols for evaluation of laundry aids.…”

“…Laundering procedures may not be adequate for removal of all potentially pathogenic microorganisms from clothing (3,14,19). Furthermore, bacteria can survive on the surfaces of washers and dryers after their respective cycles (20). Water temperature is a primary factor in the survival of bacteria in laundrying procedures and, therefore, is an important concern with regard to transfer of bacteria in the self-service laundry (9,12,19,21,23).…”

Bioconversion of Cotton Fibers Wastes to Ethanol by Fungal Cellulases

“…The microbial population in air "aeromycoflora" is similar to the organisms community found in the soil (Dube, 1990;Zyska, 1997). Mycoflora has the priority to attack fabrics and hydrolyze their components by hydrolyzing enzymes as cellulases and proteases, especially under favourable temperatures, humidity and pH (Warden and Highley, 1974). Aeromycoflora bio pollutants have important impacts on medicine.…”