Alpaca Owners Association Documents Antimicrobial Properties Of Raw Alpaca Fiber

LINCOLN, Neb. — December 3, 2018 — Alpaca Owners Association (AOA) announced recent laboratory testing results revealed that raw alpaca fiber possesses antibacterial properties.

“While the effect is modest, it is likely comparable to the natural antibacterial properties of scoured sheep’s wool,” said Bud Synhorst, Executive Director of AOA.  “This will increase the interest of alpaca fiber within the active apparel industry.”

The outdoor and sports apparel industry has seen increased interest in antimicrobial textile products from active consumers who want products that are odor resistant. The industry has largely addressed this demand by treating fabrics with chemicals that inhibit bacterial growth.