A Pilot Study on Novel Elastomers’ Antimicrobial Activity Against Legionella pneumophila and Salmonella Enteritidis
Source abstract
Abstract
Both synthetic and natural rubber-like elastomers are widely employed in industrial applications (such as tires, seals, protective gloves, and damping absorbers) as well as in the food and animal husbandry industries. These materials should be regularly checked for contamination and the associated infectious risk since they frequently come into contact with food, animals, and people. Additionally, they could act as vehicle of microbes and, as a result, diseases. This pilot study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of novel elastomer formulations against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis and Legionella pneumophila, with possible applications in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two rubber and five silicone patented elastomers with antibacterial additives. Two microbiological concentrations (103 and 104 CFU/mL) were used to compare the efficacy of the elastomers. The results showed a significant decrease in bacterial load in several silicone formulations, with two of them showing the strongest bactericidal efficacy against L. pneumophila (0% and 3% survival rates for VMQ105 and VMQ500L formulations, respectively), despite the wide variations in S. Enteritidis inhibition. One rubber elastomer performed better than the other in terms of reducing bacterial survival for both pathogens (NBRCA) while NBROM showed a 0% survival rate only for L. pneumophila. The findings suggest that certain elastomer compositions might lessen the potential infectious risks in water systems or contaminated matrices. Future research may investigate in situ applications, particularly in hospitals or dental offices where these pathogens pose major health risks.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Antimicrobial agents and applications · Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications · Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences-One Health Unit, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
Coordinated Research Center “EpiSoMI”, University of Milan, Via Carlo Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria 22, 20133 Milan, Italy
Funding
Scudo Technologies PRP, Italy
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