Photoinactivation and Toxicity of Nano-sized TiO2 on Paint Microflora Using Visible Lights

Traditional TiO2 has been used as an antimicrobial additive to paints, but more recently the use of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) has been proposed as an alternative because of its ability to induce oxidative damage to the cell membrane of bacteria. This study focused on how photoinactivation of TiO2 NPs by fluorescent and halogen lights (400–700 nm) influenced survival of Bacillus sphaericus (Gram-positive bacterium) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram-negative bacterium) isolated from spoiled paints. The loss of viability of the test organisms in the presence of TiO2 NPs determined by culturable (plate) count technique indicated a decrease in viable bacteria that was predominant after 24-h exposure. The TiO2 NPs showed higher antibacterial performance under fluorescent light than halogen light with increasing irradiation time and confirms the photokilling effect of TiO2 NPs. TiO2 NPs were also bactericidal under dark conditions, suggesting potential antibacterial applications in the paint industry.