Knitted fabric specifications and axilla odour retention characteristics

Abstract

This study focuses on the role of bacteria and the effect of textile structure on the odour formation. Cotton knitted fabric made of three different structures are selected based on their commercial importance. The knitted samples are given for human wear trial and the effect of structure on odour formation is analysed. It is found that the rib structure has the high odour intensity rating and the least value is observed for plain jersey. This is explained in terms of thickness and mass per square meter of the fabric. Sensory evolution test is performed by the expert team and it is confirmed that the higher the mass and loop density, the higher is the odour formation. The thicker fabric enhances the optimum environment in the axilla region for better bacterial growth. This is confirmed by the bacterial isolation process and swab analysis, the thicker the structure (rib) the higher is the presence (CFU/ml) of corynebacterium Sp., Bacillus Sp. and Staphylococcus Sp. groups than in the thinner structure (single jersey). higher amount of carboxylic acid is formed in the axilla region as a metabolic byproduct of bacteria. The formation of carboxylic acid in the textile material after wear trial is further confirmed objectively by PTR-MS and FTIR studies, where fragments of butyric, valeric and isobutryic acid along with acetates groups are identified. Response surface methodology is adapted to study the effect of fabric parameter on odour formation. Using this experimental design, the general relationships relating the properties with variables as well as the significant terms in these relationships are computed.