Promotion of Surgical Masks Antimicrobial Activity by Disinfection and Impregnation with Disinfectant Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is requesting highly effective protective personnel equipment, mainly for healthcare professionals. However, the current demand has exceeded the supply chain and, consequently, shortage of essential medical materials, such as surgical masks. Due to these alarming limitations, it is crucial to develop effective means of disinfection, reusing, and thereby applying antimicrobial shielding protection to the clinical supplies. Purpose Therefore, in this work, we developed a novel, economical, and straightforward approach to promote antimicrobial activity to surgical masks by impregnating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methods Our strategy consisted of fabricating a new alcohol disinfectant formulation combining special surfactants and AgNPs, which is demonstrated to be extensively effective against a broad number of microbial surrogates of SARS-CoV-2. Results The present nano-formula reported a superior microbial reduction of 99.999% against a wide number of microorganisms. Furthermore, the enveloped H5N1 virus was wholly inactivated after 15 min of disinfection. Far more attractive, the current method for reusing surgical masks did not show outcomes of detrimental amendments, suggesting that the protocol does not alter the filtration effectiveness. Conclusion The nano-disinfectant provides a valuable strategy for effective decontamination, reuse, and even antimicrobial promotion to surgical masks for frontline clinical personnel.

Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Applications

“…These results are highly favorable since face masks improved with AgNPs could prevent infections in places such as hospitals where there is a high persistence of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, a recent study probed the potential of a disinfectant with AgNPs incorporated as an active ingredient to decontaminate surgical masks [103]. The formulation generated shows the high antibacterial activity as well as the mask impregnated with the formulation, being able to inhibit the growth of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus.…”

Innovative Textiles Used in Face Masks: Filtration Efficiency and Self-Disinfecting Properties against Coronaviruses

“…A very modern method is the impregnation of masks, such as surgical masks, with silver nanoparticles with the aim of self-disinfection, which the authors were able to successfully demonstrate in a study for various bacterial pathogens and also influenza virus after 15 min of exposure time. The authors also assume that with this modern method, fewer silver ions leak from the textiles and come into contact with the skin [ 49 ]. Further research should be conducted on this in the future.…”

The role of disinfectants and sanitizers during COVID-19 pandemic: advantages and deleterious effects on humans and the environment

“…Moreover, magnetic nanomaterials or nanoparticles can be exploited as efficient alternatives for coating PPEs such as masks and eyeprotecting glasses in order to produce reusable and environmentally friendly antiviral nanocoated PPEs (Tyagi et al 2021). However, antiviral nanoparticles such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), copper oxide (CuO), and zinc (Zn) have been incorporated on surfaces and PPE textiles, and can be a viable alternative to chemical disinfection processes (Valdez-Salas et al 2021;Ruiz-Hitzky et al 2020). In a recent study, the nanodisinfectant has been evaluated as a reliable technique for efficient disinfection, reusing, and even antimicrobial promotion of surgical masks for healthcare professionals (Valdez-Salas et al 2021).…”

“…However, antiviral nanoparticles such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), copper oxide (CuO), and zinc (Zn) have been incorporated on surfaces and PPE textiles, and can be a viable alternative to chemical disinfection processes (Valdez-Salas et al 2021;Ruiz-Hitzky et al 2020). In a recent study, the nanodisinfectant has been evaluated as a reliable technique for efficient disinfection, reusing, and even antimicrobial promotion of surgical masks for healthcare professionals (Valdez-Salas et al 2021). In addition, modern nanotechnology and nanomedicine approaches have been harnessed to develop disinfection and treatment strategies to tackle increasing infection cases worldwide, especially challenges posed by pathogens of viral origin (Nikaeen et al 2020).…”