Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Comparative antimicrobial activities of aerosolized sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, and electrochemically activated solutions evaluated using a novel standardized assay

Thorn, R. M.S.; Reynolds, D. M.; Thorn, Robin; Reynolds, Darren M.; Robinson, G. M.

Authors

R. M.S. Thorn

D. M. Reynolds

Dr Robin Thorn Robin2.Thorn@uwe.ac.uk
Director of Research and Enterprise

Gareth Robinson Gareth2.Robinson@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Director (Partnerships & Planning)



Abstract

The main aim of this study was to develop a standardized experimental assay to enable differential antimicrobial comparisons of test biocidal aerosols. This study represents the first chlorine-matched comparative assessment of the antimicrobial activities of aerosolized sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, and electrochemically activated solution (ECAS) to determine their relative abilities to decontaminate various surface-associated health care-relevant microbial challenges. Standard microbiological challenges were developed by surface-associating typed Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis spores, or a clinical methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain on stainless steel, polypropylene, or fabric. All test coupons were subjected to 20-min biocidal aerosols of chlorine-matched (100 ppm) sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, or ECAS within a standard aerosolization chamber using a commercial humidifier under defined conditions. Biocidal treatment type and material surface had a significant effect on the number of microorganisms recovered from various material surfaces following treatment exposure. Under the conditions of the assay, the order of antimicrobial efficacy of biocidal aerosol treatment was as follows: ECAS>chlorine dioxide>sodium hypochlorite. For all biocides, greater antimicrobial reductions were seen when treating stainless steel and fabric than when treating plastic-associated microorganisms. The experimental fogging system and assay protocol designed within this study were shown capable of differentiating the comparative efficacies of multiple chlorine-matched biocidal aerosols against a spectrum of target organisms on a range of test surface materials and would be appropriate for testing other biocidal aerosol treatments or material surfaces. Copyright © 2013, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date May 1, 2013
Journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Print ISSN 0066-4804
Electronic ISSN 1098-6596
Publisher American Society for Microbiology
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 57
Issue 5
Pages 2216-2225
DOI https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02589-12
Keywords antimicrobial activities, aerosolized sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, electrochemically, solutions
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/933969
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02589-12