10 Microbial Degradation of Woven Fabrics and Protection Against Biodegradation Beata Gutarowska 1 and Andrzej Michalski 2 1 Technical University of Lodz, Institute of Technology Fermentation and Microbiology, Lodz, 2 Spółdzielnia Inwalidów ZGODA, Konstantynów Łódzki, Poland 1. Introduction The textile industry is one of the most important and fastest developing industries in the world. An significant problem encountered by manufacturers is that of ensuring that the fabrics produced are of suitable quality and durability. Particular attention needs to be paid to the destructive action of microorganisms present in the environment. In favourable conditions these can rapidly destroy material, rendering it entirely unusable and causing substantial economic losses. In 1960, in the UK, annual losses due to biological degradation of cotton fibres were put at 110 000 tonnes of cotton, which at time was 1% of output (Howard & Mc Cord). According to estimates by Hueck-van der Plas (1971), the process of biodeterioration affected 2% of annual production of natural and artificial fibres (Zyska, 1977). At the start of the 21 st century annual world consumption of unwoven fabrics (for practical and technical uses) stood at 46 million tonnes, of which synthetics and cotton accounted for 49% and 42% respectively (with an upward trend in subsequent years), wool for 5%, and other fabrics 4% (linen, sisal, silk and others, with a downward trend) (Central Statistical Office Yearbooks – Roczniki GUS, Poland 2008). If 2% of the global value of fibre production is assumed, the problem of microbiological decomposition may affect 920 000 tonnes of fabric annually. Not all losses can have a price attached to them: museum fabrics are particularly rapidly damaged by microorganisms, and the artistic and cultural value of these items cannot be recreated. Microorganisms which attack textile products not only have a destructive effect, but also pose a significant danger to human health. Particularly dangerous are the pathogenic microorganisms present on fabrics which come into direct contact with the human body, such as on dressings and surgical masks; this may lead to skin infection, and even heart disorders and pneumonia. It is a significant challenge for manufacturers to produce fabrics with antimicrobial properties – namely bioactive fabrics, containing biocides to provide protection against pathogenic microorganisms. www.intechopen.com