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Updated: Nov 22, 2025
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
Efficacy of compressed sodium chloride (CSC) against E. coli and Candida auris in minutes and methods improvement for
Lan N Truong1,2, Brayden D Whitlock3,4
1University of Alberta Health Accelerator, 4560-10230 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4P6, Canada.
Abstract:
Controlling infections has become one of the biggest problems in the world, whether measured in lives lost or money spent. This is worsening as pathogens continue becoming resistant to therapeutics. Antimicrobial surfaces are one strategy being investigated in an attempt to decrease the spread of infections through the most common route of transmission: surfaces, including hands. Regulators have chosen two hours as the time point at which efficacy should be measured. The objectives of this study were to characterize the new antimicrobial surface compressed sodium chloride (CSC) so that its action may be understood at timepoints more relevant to real-time infection control, under two minutes; to develop a sensitive method to test efficacy at short time points; and to investigate antifungal properties for the first time. E. coli and Candida auris are added to surfaces, and the surfaces are monitored by contact plate, or by washing into collection vats. An improved method of testing antimicrobial efficacy is reported. Antimicrobial CSC achieves at least 99.9% reduction of E. coli in the first two minutes of contact, and at least 99% reduction of C. auris in one minute.
Insights
New antimicrobial surfaces using compressed sodium chloride (CSC) demonstrate rapid efficacy against E. coli and Candida auris. This innovation offers a promising strategy for real-time infection control on surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance poses a global health challenge.
- Surface transmission is a primary route for infection spread.
- Current antimicrobial efficacy testing often uses a two-hour time point, which may not reflect real-time conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the antimicrobial activity of compressed sodium chloride (CSC) surfaces within two minutes.
- To develop a sensitive assay for evaluating antimicrobial efficacy at short time intervals.
- To investigate the antifungal properties of CSC surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilized E. coli and Candida auris as model pathogens.
- Employed contact plating and wash-off methods for microbial enumeration.
- Developed an improved method for rapid antimicrobial efficacy testing.
Main Results:
- Compressed sodium chloride (CSC) surfaces achieved over 99.9% reduction of E. coli within two minutes.
- CSC surfaces demonstrated at least 99% reduction of Candida auris within one minute.
- An enhanced method for testing antimicrobial efficacy at short time points was reported.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial CSC surfaces exhibit rapid and significant reduction of key bacterial and fungal pathogens.
- The developed testing method allows for evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy relevant to real-time infection control.
- CSC surfaces present a viable strategy for mitigating infection transmission via surfaces.
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