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. 1980 Apr;39(4):743–748. doi: 10.1128/aem.39.4.743-748.1980

Impact of detergent systems on bacterial survival on laundered fabrics.

J M Jaska, D L Fredell
PMCID: PMC291413  PMID: 7377775

Abstract

The survival of Staphylococcus aureus was determined from inoculated swatches laundered in either a phosphate or a phosphate-substitute detergent. In a Plackett-Burman design study, the independent variables of detergent type, concentration, and variation, wash water temperature, soil load, cycle time, and water hardness were assigned high and low values. Wash water temperatures of 27, 38, 49, and 60 degrees C were employed. Viable bacteria were recovered from macerated swatches. Statistical analysis disclosed that there was no practical difference in the ability of phosphate or phosphate-substitute detergents to reduce the level of S. aureus on the laundered swatches in this controlled design. Analysis did reveal that water temperature was the most significant independent variables. The remaining variables did not appear to have any practical significance upon bacterial reduction. This bacteriological study did not evaluate other essential detergent properties.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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