ARS and University of Georgia researchers report. It works by creating an unfavorable environment for the microbes on and around the fibers of cotton, polyester and other fabrics used to make clothing, linens and other textile products. Staph bacteria can cause skin, wound and other infections. Brevibacterium causes foot odor. Both of the fungi can trigger allergies and asthma.
More research is needed to confirm the finding.
But early indications are the treatment could give clothing and textile makers a new way to incorporate antimicrobial properties into apparel or health care products like underpads used by people with incontinence. So, fabric-infecting germs should be less apt to develop resistance. More than 3 million tons of U.S. cane sugar is produced annually but less than 2 percent is used for nonfood purposes. Cane sugar also has to compete with artificial and low-calorie sweeteners. Unlike these products, however, it offers an abundant, chemically pure source of raw material for creating liquid epoxies that bind glass, metal, wood and other materials.