Physicochemical characterization of reusable facemasks and theoretical adhesion by a challenged bacterium

Adhesion of microorganisms on facemask surfaces is a major problem that produces contamination of the mask wearer either by inhalation or by direct contact. Generally, physicochemical properties of the material and the microorganism are responsible for this adhesion and are also reported to influence the filtration efficiency of facemasks. However, theses surface proprieties and their effect on particles attachment on facemask materials remain poorly documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of seven facemasks and evaluate the influence of these characteristics on the adhesion of Sataphylococcus aureus.

Physicochemical properties is done by contact angle method and scanning electron microscopy while theoretical adhesion of S. aureus is done according to XDLVO approach.

The obtained results showed that all masks have a hydrophobic character. The electron donor and electron acceptor parameters change depending on each mask. Chemical analysis demonstrates the presence of two chemical elements (carbon and oxygen). Predictive adhesion demonstrate that S. aureus has an attractive behavior towards the masks used but the potential of adhesion is not the same.

Such information is valuable to understand attachment of biological particles and to contribute in the inhibition of this attachment.