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Updated: May 2, 2026

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Mycobacteria inactivation using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS).

Georgios Pyrgiotakis1, James McDevitt1, Ya Gao1

  • 1Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Nanomedicine : Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
|March 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary

A novel nanotechnology method using engineered water nano-structures (EWNS) effectively inactivates airborne and surface-bound mycobacteria. This chemical-free approach shows significant potential for controlling infectious diseases caused by resilient bacteria.

Keywords:
Air disinfectionEngineered water NanostructuresLipid peroxidationMycobacteriaNanoparticles

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Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) poses a significant global health threat due to its resilient nature and airborne transmission.
  • Current treatments for mycobacterial infections are often challenging due to the pathogen's unique cell wall and slow growth.
  • There is a critical need for innovative, non-chemical methods to combat airborne and surface-transmitted mycobacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate a novel, chemical-free nanotechnology-based method for inactivating mycobacteria.
  • To assess the efficacy of engineered water nano-structures (EWNS) against airborne and surface M. parafortuitum (a surrogate for Mtb).
  • To investigate the mechanism by which EWNS inactivate mycobacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized electrospray to transform atmospheric water vapor into engineered water nano-structures (EWNS).
  • Assessed the inactivation of airborne M. parafortuitum by EWNS.
  • Quantified the inactivation rate of M. parafortuitum on surfaces compared to a control.
  • Investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the EWNS-mediated inactivation mechanism.

Main Results:

  • EWNS significantly reduced airborne M. parafortuitum concentration levels.
  • EWNS inactivated M. parafortuitum on surfaces eight times faster than the control.
  • The study demonstrated that EWNS deliver encapsulated reactive oxygen species, which oxidize the bacterial cell membrane, leading to inactivation.
  • The method proved effective without the use of toxic chemicals.

Conclusions:

  • Engineered water nano-structures (EWNS) generated via electrospray are a viable chemical-free technology for inactivating mycobacteria.
  • This nanotechnology-based approach offers a promising strategy for controlling airborne and surface-based mycobacterial infections.
  • The findings suggest EWNS could become a valuable tool in preventing the spread of resilient infectious agents.