Disinfection of surfaces

Kuhn KP, Chaberny IF, Massholder K, Stifkier M, Benz VW, Sonntag HG, Erdinger L (2003) Disinfection of surfaces by photocatalytic oxidation with titanium dioxide and UVA light. Chemosphere 53 71-77... 

The theoretical basis of light-induced antimicrobial treatment is described, followed by examples of its application for the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. All available information supports the idea that PDT could offer a very efficient and cost-effective way to combat microbial contamination of foods. The advantages and pit-falls of the technique are discussed. Directions of future research needed for bringing the technology to commercial reality are identified. 

Phage preparations have also been found to be very useful in the disinfection of surfaces and facilities in hospitals. Walls in wards, different surfaces, and even instruments and wounds (the source of some pathogens) have also been treated, with a considerable effect in children s clinics [41], Recent studies demonstrated a high eradicating effect of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus phages in a laboratory environmental model [42, 43]. 

Wilson M (2003) Light-activated antimicrobial coating for the continuous disinfection of surfaces. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 24 782-784... 

The disinfection of surfaces can easily be achieved by irradiation with LP or powerful MP Hg lamps. The latter need efficient air-cooling. An example applied in food and beverage industries is presented in Fig. 8-24. A line of screw caps for sealing beverage bottles is transported at high speed in front of an MP Hg lamp irradiation system, thus guaranteeing the disinfection of the inner surface of the screw caps. 

Disinfecting of surfaces with 0.1-15% hydrogen peroxide, antimicrobial essential oil or mixture... 

In addition to the main objective of cleaning the surface, cleaners often have added benefits built in. Among these consumer desirable additions are maintenance or increase in surface shine, disinfection of surfaces, decreasing soil tenacity, and deodorization. Many of these are priorities in the bathroom, which contains many large shiny surfaces that are perceived to be germy (contaminated with germs) and covered with tough soils. 

Optimum performance involves balancing factors such as pH, temperature matrix and additives in the final product. In practice glutaraldehyde is generally available as a 2% solution to which an activator is added to bring the pH to approximately 8 before application, e.g. disinfection of instruments. The activated solution disinfects at room temperature within 10 min and sterilizes within 10 h. The activated solution has to be discarded 14 days after activation. Another important application for glutaraldehyde solutions is the disinfection of surfaces. 

Ferreira, H.M. (2012). Use of ATP bioluminescence method in evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in primary care. p. 12. 

Disinfectants. Several disinfecting agents can be used in hatcheries and two are of particular interest. Because they are not considered dmg or food additive uses by FDA, povidone—iodine compounds can be used to disinfect the surface of eggs (9). Benzalkonium chloride [68424-85-1] and benzethonium chloride (quaternary ammonium compounds), are allowed at 2 mg/L by FDA to disinfect water containing fish. These compounds are also known to have therapeutic properties, especially against external bacteria (9). 

Povidone—iodine is a brown, water-soluble powder containing approximately 10% iodine. However, the amount of free iodine, which is responsible for the antimicrobial activity, is low in a concentrated solution, but is released as the solution is diluted (41). Concentrated solutions have actually been contaminated with bacteria (42). For use as an antiseptic, povidine—iodine is diluted with water or alcohol to a concentration of 1% iodine. Detergents are added if it is used as a surgical scmb. lodophors are important as broad-spectmm antiseptics for the skin, although they do not have the persistent action of some other antiseptics. They are also used as disinfectants for clinical thermometers that have been used by tuberculous patients, for surface disinfection of tables, etc, and for clean equipment in hospitals, food plants, and dairies, much as chlorine disinfectants are used. 

Regular cleaning of contamination from, or disinfection of, walls, surfaces etc. 

EPA s surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water to (1) disinfect their water, and (2) filter their water or meet criteria for avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are controlled at the following levels ... 

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is widely used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. The presence of water is essential for activity, hence 100% ethanol is ineffective. Concentrations between 60 and 95% are bactericidal but a 70% solution is usually employed for the disinfection of skin, clean instruments or surfaces. At higher concentrations, e.g. 90%, ethanol is also active against most viruses, including TUV. Ethanol is also a popular choice in pharmaceutical preparations and cosmetic products as a solvent and preservative. 

Actual situation in developing a European Standard for testing of surface disinfectants... 

Contact lens care products can be divided into three categories cleaners, disinfectants, and lubricants. Improperly cleaned lenses can cause discomfort, irritation, decrease in visual acuity, and giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC). This latter condition often requires discontinuation of lens wear, at least until the symptoms clear. Deposits can also accumulate preservatives from lens care products and produce toxicity and can act as a matrix for microorganism attachment to the lens [317]. Thus, cleaning with the removal of surface debris, tear components, and contaminating microorganisms is one of the most important steps contributing to the safety and efficacy of successful lens wear [318]. 

Experiments with gaseous acetic acid have been performed for disinfection of seeds intended for the production of bean sprouts (Delaquis et al., 1999). Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli 0157 H7 were eradicated from the surface of mung bean seeds and it was reported that the seed germination loss was not too large. The seeds have often been the suspected source of contamination in sprout-associated outbreaks and sanitation methods that do not interfere with the germination of the seeds are appreciated. Other volatile chemical treatments have been tested for lethality to Salmonella spp. on alfalfa seeds and sprouts with varying results both on the efficacy of the disinfectant and its effect on sensory qualities (Weissinger et al., 2001). 

California Department of Food and Agriculture. Animal Health and Food Safety Services. Animal Health Branch. Biosecurity Selection and Use of Surface Disinfectants. Revision June 2002. 

The photod)mamic approach has been applied for the cleaning and disinfection of artificial surfaces, especially for the destruction and inactivation of biofilms. In the majority of cases, it was proposed for the cleaning of surfaces in hospitals (Decraene et al., 2008a,b) and the disinfection of medical devices such as implants (Sharma et ah, 2008). Only a few papers on the application of PDT targeted to the needs of the food industry have been published. 

It is therefore apparent why the physical chemistry of surfaces and the structure and activity of surface-active agents are also of interest to the medicinal chemist. Antimicrobial detergents and many disinfectants exert their activity by interacting with biological surfaces and are important examples of surface-active drug effects. 

It is possible to use this OH° concentration to predict k for the oxidation of other compounds under the same conditions. Von Gunten et al. (1995) calculated the actual concentration of OH° using this general and easy way for the ozonation of surface water at neutral pH in a two-stage pilot plant. Atrazine was used as the model compound, ozone decay was assumed to be of first order and the reactors completely mixed. Based on this model they were able to precisely predict the formation of bromate (Br03 ) by oxidation of bromide (Br ) for a full-scale water treatment plant. Bromate is a disinfection byproduct (DBP) of the ozonation of bromide-containing waters, and of concern because of its carcinogenic effects in animal experiments (see also Chapter A 3). 

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