title: Ultrastructure changes induced by dry film formation of a trisodium phosphate blend, antimicrobial solution.
abstract: Trisodium phosphate (TSP) has been reported to have antimicrobial activity and is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in food processing applications. A novel (U.S. Patent 6,184,198), antimicrobial solution containing a blend of TSP, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium carbonate (TSP blend) has demonstrated effective inhibition of microbial contamination in a broad spectrum of applications. This high-resolution cold field emission scanning electron microcopy (LVSEM) investigation details structural changes and dry film formation in various classes of microbes as a mechanism for antimicrobial activity of this solution. The results showed that this TSP blend solution completely inhibited the growth of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella bacteria, the mold Cryptococcus, as well as a Norwalk virus surrogate-feline calicivirus. Results by LVSEM confirmed that the antimicrobial effect was induced when encapsulating the target microbes in a high lubricity film that is formed around these organisms as the solution dries. The thickness of the film was estimated to be approximately 60 nm.
authors.affiliation: UMEDIK Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. plea@umedik.com
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lemez
mesh_terms: D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009663:Norwalk virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D010710:Phosphates; C018279:sodium phosphate