Could bamboo leaves be antibacterial and antimicrobial?

Cotton sheets are considered by many to be the gold standard when it comes to bedding. Today you will find that 100% bamboo sheets are becoming almost as popular as cotton. Bamboo is a soft and luxurious material that can rival many cotton sheets. Along with this comfort, there have been a number of studies in several countries showing that bamboo has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can be beneficial, especially for those with allergies or sensitive skin.

Bamboo leaves are believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Bamboo fiber is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, a quality that many believe is maintained when bamboo fiber is woven into luxurious bed sheets. Bamboo contains a natural agent called “bamboo kun” that prevents bacteria and fungus from growing on it.

The Federal Trade Commission has prohibited manufacturers and sellers of bamboo products from making claims about the antimicrobial or antibacterial properties of bamboo products. They admit that bamboo is antimicrobial in its original state. However, there are a number of studies that have been conducted in various countries that have scientific results showing that bamboo fabric possesses these properties.

Many studies have shown that bamboo is hypoallergenic. It does not irritate the skin or cause rashes like other fabrics can. So if you’re someone with sensitive skin and you’ve broken out in a rash or had an allergic reaction to your bedding, 100% bamboo sheets might be just what you’re looking for. In 2003, the China Industrial Testing Center (CTITC) completed a quantitative antibacterial test on a piece of 100% bamboo fabric. They placed a staphylococcus aurous strain of bacteria on the fabric. After a twenty-four hour period, live bacteria were counted. The results showed that the bamboo cloth exhibited an antibacterial kill rate of 99.8%.

Another study was conducted by the Japan Textile Inspection Association (JTIA). A quantitative test used 100% bamboo fabric. The bamboo cloth pieces were industrially washed fifty times. The bamboo pieces were then covered with a strain of live staphylococci. After a twenty-four hour incubation period, live bacteria were counted. Their results showed that the fabric samples maintained an antibacterial efficiency rate of over 70% after being washed fifty times. A 2009 Utah State University Extension study, the Athlete’s Foot Case Study, was conducted by apparel and textile specialist Karen Biers. Fifty athlete’s foot sufferers wore socks made from bamboo. Within a day or two after the start of the trial, all test subjects reported that the burning and itching associated with the disease had ceased. And, the athlete’s foot blisters and sores had cleared up and the skin was back to normal, within two to six days.

It would seem that even though the Federal Trade Commission has banned antibacterial and antifungal claims by bamboo textile manufacturers and distributors regarding their bamboo sheets, there appears to be some evidence to support the antibacterial and antimicrobial claims from scientific studies.