- Author Bulk Hemp Warehouse
- Categories: Hemp Benefits, Hemp Education, Hemp Fabric
Is Hemp Fabric Antibacterial & Antimicrobial Actually?
If you are wondering, is hemp fabric antibacterial for real? Then this article is for you.
Hemp is a versatile plant that has been used for thousands of years for many different purposes, including high quality fabrics.
Hemp fabric has become more and more popular, thanks to its many benefits, including its durability, strength, and eco-friendliness.
Another lesser-known benefit of hemp fabric is its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties… so they say.
In this blog post, we will explore the if in fact hemp fabric has these properties and who has the evidence to back this up.
To Start, What is Hemp Fabric?
Now obviously you know what fabric is, and you likely know was hemp is. But for the sake of clarity and to make sure we are on the same page, let’s define what hemp fabric is in simple terms.
The hemp stalk is made up of two types of fiber: bast fiber, and hurd fiber. The bast fiber is the long stringy fiber that is made into products such as ropes, twine, webbing, yarn and fabric. The hurd fiber is the woody cellulose rich fiber used for building materials, paper products, animal bedding and other non-woven applications.
To get a full understanding we’ve created an in-depth article on how hemp fabric is made here.
To summarize, hemp fabrics are made from the long outer bast fibers and are woven or knit into different types of fabrics. In fact, there are two types of fabrics: knits, and wovens, which you will learn more about in the previous article sites above.
So now let’s see if and how hemp fabrics are naturally antibacterial.
What does Antibacterial & Antimicrobial Mean anyway?
Before we dive into the studies of the antibacterial properties of hemp fabric, let’s first define what antimicrobial and antibacterial properties are.
Antimicrobial properties refer to a substance’s ability to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Antibacterial properties, on the other hand, refer specifically to the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
So if hemp has these properties, what makes it so? Let’s dive deeper.
Why is Hemp Fabric known to have these Antibacterial properties?
Hemp fabric has natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, and the reason for this is due to the plant’s structure.
Hemp fibers have a porous surface, which makes it difficult for bacteria to adhere to the fabric. This porous surface makes it easy for air to circulate through the fabric, which prevents bacteria and other microorganisms from thriving.
Also, the chemical composition of hemp fibers also contributes to their antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Hemp fibers have a high concentration of lignin, which is a complex organic polymer that is resistant to bacteria and other microorganisms. Lignin is also hydrophobic, which means that it repels water, and this property prevents bacteria from growing on the fabric.
Another compound that gives hemp its antimicrobial properties is pectin.
Pectin is a carbohydrate found in the hemp plant that has been shown to have antimicrobial properties against a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi.
Antibacterial properties, on the other hand, refer specifically to the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
So although hemp is not impervious to the elements of nature, it is shown to be superior to other types of fabric when it comes to slowing down this process of bacterial growth.
Research Supporting the Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Properties of Hemp Fabric
Several studies have been conducted on the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of hemp fabric.
In one study, researchers investigated the antibacterial properties of hemp fabric against Staphylococcus aureus, which is a common bacteria that cause infections.
The study found that hemp fabric had a significant antibacterial effect on this bacterium, which suggests that it could be an effective material for use in medical textiles.
Another study investigated the antimicrobial properties of hemp fibers against a variety of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The study found that hemp fibers had strong antimicrobial properties against all three bacteria, suggesting that hemp fabric could be used in a variety of applications where antimicrobial properties are needed.
A third study investigated the antimicrobial properties of hemp fibers against fungi, specifically Candida albicans.
The study found that hemp fibers had potent antifungal properties against this fungus, suggesting that hemp fabric could be useful in preventing fungal infections.
Hemp Fabric Antibacterial Studies Sources:
- Montazer, M., & Alimohammadi, F. (2013). Antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles on cotton and polyester fabrics with and without fixation agents. Research on Chemical Intermediates, 39(1), 35-49.
- Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11164-012-0837-8
- El Kissi, N., Hassan, M. L., & El Miri, N. (2016). Antibacterial activity of hemp cellulose and cotton linters against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 24(2), 133-140.
- Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10924-015-0721-6
- Shahidi, S., Mohammadi, R., & Karimi, N. (2020). Antimicrobial properties of natural textile fibers: A review. Journal of Natural Fibers, 17(5), 701-728.
- Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15440478.2019.1678283
You can find another full article on the topic of hemp fabric preventing to the growth of staph in this article here: Lab Testing Reveals Hemp Fabric Stops the Spread of Staph Bacteria – and here are the situations from that article:
- Survival of Enterococci and Staphylococci on Hospital Fabrics and Plastic – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC86187/
- San Francisco Chronicle, “HEALTH / High staph infection rates in hospitals stun public health officials / New study reports lethal drug-resistant bacteria widespread” – http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/HEALTH-High-staph-infection-rates-in-hospitals-2554708.php
So there you have it, several studies showing how hemp fabrics are naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, and prevent the growth of fungus and other harmful organisms.
So how can this help you and other businesses or industries into the future?
Where to find these High Quality Healthy Hemp Fabrics?
As a professional hemp fabric distribution company, we are passionate about the benefits of hemp fabric, including its antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
We believe that hemp fabric is an excellent alternative to conventional textiles, which are often treated with harmful chemicals to achieve similar properties.
We encourage everyone to consider the benefits of hemp fabric and to join us in our efforts to promote sustainability and eco-friendly textile options.
By choosing hemp fabric, you are not only helping to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in textile production, but you are also helping to support a sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.
At Bulk Hemp Warehouse, we offer a wide range of high-quality hemp fabrics, including those with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Our fabrics are suitable for a variety of applications, including medical textiles, clothing, and home textiles just to name a few.
How to benefit from the Antimicrobial Properties of Hemp Fabrics
One of the biggest opportunities where hemp fabrics could start being used is in hospitals. With all the different unfriendly bacteria and viruses in hospitals, hemp could be a great way to minimize the spread of these harmful organisms.
Imagine, doctors and nurses scrubs made with 100% sustainable and recyclable hemp fabrics, instead of the toxic polyester or pesticide-laden, GMO cotton that is typically used.
Also, shower curtains or any environment that is typically moist or more humid may be better off with the use of hemp fabrics to prevent the growth of mold and fungus.
Now don’t me wrong, it’s not like hemp fibers are going to never break down or be completely resistant to mold or fungus or bacteria, but based on what you’ve read, you can see that hemp is a much better option when it comes to slowing this process down.
In conclusion
In conclusion, hemp fabric’s antimicrobial and antibacterial properties make it an excellent choice for those looking for a natural and sustainable textile alternative.
With its many benefits, including durability, strength, and eco-friendliness, hemp fabric is a versatile and practical material that can be used in a variety of applications.
As a professional hemp fabric distribution company, we are committed to providing our customers with high-quality hemp fabrics that are both functional and sustainable.
Join us in our mission to promote sustainable and eco-friendly textiles by choosing hemp fabric for your textile needs.
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