Rapid Antibacterial Assessments for Plastic and Textile Materials Against Escherichia coli

Background: Standard test methods for evaluating the antibacterial performance of plastic (non-porous) and textile (porous) materials are accurate and reliable, but completing a standard assessment generally requires at least several days to a week. Well-trained and experienced technicians are also required to conduct the standard tests consistently and analyse the samples and test results systemically. These costs are often not favourable for the performance assurance of antimicrobial products in industrial production, nor for meeting the fast-return demands in research and development of antimicrobial materials nowadays. Methods: In this study, "Rapid Tests" are developed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of plastic and textile materials. Results: The assessment results from Rapid Tests for plastics and textiles are highly correlated to those from the ISO 22196 and the AATCC Test Method 100, respectively, whereas the evaluation operation can be completed within one day. Based on bioluminescence technology, colony-forming units of E. coli from the inoculated specimens are determined via luminometry. Antibacterial efficacy of the treated plastic and textile samples can be examined effectively. Conclusions: By analysing antimicrobial artificial leather samples composed of hydrophilic polyurethane polymer using Rapid Tests for plastics and textiles, the applicability and scope of these tests were remarkedly recognised and verified.