Antimicrobial mortar surfaces for the improvement of hygienic conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of various antimicrobial mortar formulations in inhibiting the growth of a selection of pathogens of environmental and hygienic concern.


RESULTS
Mortar prisms containing triclosan-incorporated fibres or different concentrations of silver copper zeolites were incubated with Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica or Staphylococcus aureus at 4 or 20 degrees C for 24 h. From plate counting, a substantial bactericidal effect (>4 log units) could only be observed for the mortar specimens containing more than 3% zeolites on cement weight base, the effect being more pronounced at 20 degrees C compared to 4 degrees C. No inhibitory effect could be observed for mortar specimens containing antimicrobial fibres. Adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) measurements allowed for a rapid indication of the occurrence of antimicrobial activity.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to obtain a bactericidal effect on mortar surfaces, concentrations of silver copper zeolites of more then 3% are required.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the effectiveness of various antimicrobial mortar mixtures towards the inhibition of pathogens has been evaluated in a quantitative way. Antimicrobial concrete mixtures can be used for the improvement of the hygienic conditions in a variety of environments.
De Muynck
W
W
Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Department of Structural Engineering, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 904, Gent, Belgium.
De Belie
N
N
Verstraete
W
W
D003300:Copper; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006920:Hygiene; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012834:Silver; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017641:Zeolites
D017641:Zeolites; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper