Instrumental method with optical detection for evaluating the antimicrobial potential of materials used for medical mask production

Abstract

Objective. To optimize the parameters for testing the antimicrobial activity of modified non-woven materials used for the production of medical masks against sanitary-indicative microorganisms and to quantify their antimicrobial potential using a method with optical detection.Materials and methods. The antimicrobial potential was assessed by simulating a direct contact of the material with antimicrobial impregnation under in vitro conditions by the method with optical detection based on the proposed marker Ts – the time it takes for a population of microorganisms to reach the stationary phase of development under conditions of periodic cultivation. The antimicrobial potential was calculated according to the proposed formula and evaluated in accordance with a reasonable quantitative scale.Results. In laboratory conditions, the parameters for testing the antimicrobial activity of nonwoven materials with antimicrobial treatment with zinc oxide - ZnO - using an instrumental method with optical detection have been optimized. It was found that the sample obtained using electron beam spraying from the active gas phase demonstrated more pronounced antimicrobial potential of AMP against the tested strains of Staphylococcus aureus compared with the sample obtained by wet chemistry impregnation from a solution in vacuum.Conclusion. An instrumental method with optical detection for quantitive assessment of the antimicrobial potential of nonwoven materials has been developed. The criterion-significant marker Ts (the time it takes a population of microorganisms to reach the stationary phase of development in a periodic culture system) has been substantiated, and a discrete scale for assessing the antimicrobial potential has been proposed.