Although microbes can be useful in many ways, for example in brewing, baking and biotechnology, they can also be harmful to both textiles and humans. Different substances added to textiles, such as size, hand modifiers, antistats, thickeners, lubricants and dirt as well as grease, sweat and dead skin from the human body provide a great source of nourishment for microorganisms. Following are some of the possible effects of micro-organisms on textiles:
1) Bad odour
2) Discoloration, unsightliness or staining of the fabric
3) A slick slimy handle
4) Loss of functional properties like elasticity and tensile strength
5) Decrease in the life of the textiles, especially cotton and wool
Natural fibres are particularly prone to microbial attack as they are readily digestible by bacteria and fungi but the synthetic fibres are not completely immune either as they might contain some additives that may be a nutrient for microbes .Wool is more likely to be attacked by bacteria than cotton while cotton is more likely to be attacked than wool by fungi. Many different finishes
applied on textiles are excellent source of nutrients for microbes, making textiles susceptible to microbial attack. Work in progress in textile manufacturing is also susceptible to microbial attack, particularly if the goods are left for a long time in conditions conducive for microbial growth. Apart from their effects on textiles, microbes can be a source of many problems to human beings, ranging from simple unpleasant odour to physical irritation, allergy, toxic responses, infection and diseases. An unpleasant odour results when, among other things, human
perspiration is converted by bacteria into foul-smelling substances such as aldehydes, amines, ammonia, sulphides, mercaptans, aromatics, lactones and fatty acids (acetic, propionic, butyric, valerianic, caproic). The minute particles of house dust mite excrements adhering to dust particles can cause dust allergies while mould fungi of the aspergillus type can produce lung disease
