Antimicrobial activities of hydrogen peroxide and its activation by a novel heterogeneous Fenton’s-like modified PAN catalyst

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the potential activation of hydrogen peroxide by a novel catalyst, reducing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide required and the time taken for microbial inactivation. Methods and Results: The antimicrobial properties of an iron‐based novel heterogeneous polyacrylonitrile catalyst in combination with hydrogen peroxide were examined against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus using a modified version of the European suspension test. Antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis endospores was also investigated. Bactericidal activity was significantly increased when the polyacrylonitrile catalyst was combined with hydrogen peroxide. 0·2, 0·5 and 1% w/v hydrogen peroxide resulted in average log reductions of 4·76, 5·59 and 5·37 for E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa and Staph. aureus, respectively, after 60 min exposure at room temperature. The catalyst also significantly increased the activity of hydrogen peroxide against B. subtilis and B. cereus endospores. Conclusions: These studies have demonstrated the potential biocidal use of the novel polyacrylonitrile catalyst when combined with hydrogen peroxide. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first publication to demonstrate the enhanced activity gained using the novel heterogeneous catalyst to potentiate the activity of hydrogen peroxide as a biocide.

Mycobactericidal activity of hydrogen peroxide activated by a novel heterogeneous Fentons-like catalyst system

“…The increase in activity of H 2 O 2 seen when the PAN catalyst was present is consistent with the increase seen for vegetative bacteria and endospores in previous work (Boateng et al . ). The PAN catalyst and H 2 O 2 system had an increased mycobactericidal effect when the PAN catalyst to H 2 O 2 ratio was increased from 1 to 2 g. This dramatic increase in mycobactericidal activity observed when an increase in catalyst was added to the system was consistent with previous results (Boateng et al .…”

“…In conclusion, this study confirms previous published work on vegetative bacteria and endospores (Boateng et al . ) that showed an increase in antimicrobial activity in the presence of the PAN catalyst, compared to H 2 O 2 alone. Due to medically significant mycobacteria being a problem within the health service, particularly in regard to endoscope disinfection, this system offers an alternative to H 2 O 2 alone and those currently in use.…”

“…The PAN catalyst and H 2 O 2 system had an increased mycobactericidal effect when the PAN catalyst to H 2 O 2 ratio was increased from 1 to 2 g. This dramatic increase in mycobactericidal activity observed when an increase in catalyst was added to the system was consistent with previous results (Boateng et al . ) indicates that the concentration of H 2 O 2 and the contact times needed for disinfection can be significantly reduced.…”

“…Recent work has shown that a novel antimicrobial‐modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst, incorporating ferric cations and prepared at industrial scale using a sulfate impregnation, significantly increases the activity of H 2 O 2 against vegetative bacteria and endospores (Boateng et al . ).…”

“…H 2 O 2 is used in endoscope disinfection and sterilization; however, high concentrations are needed (7-14% w/v) with contact times of 10-30 min (Omidbakhsh 2006;Petersen et al 2009). Recent work has shown that a novel antimicrobial-modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst, incorporating ferric cations and prepared at industrial scale using a sulfate impregnation, significantly increases the activity of H 2 O 2 against vegetative bacteria and endospores (Boateng et al 2011).…”