| Autor: |
Vital VG; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas-ICAQF, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil., Silva MR; Department of Research and Development, Termomecanica São Paulo S.A., São Bernardo do Campo 09612-000, Brazil., Santos VT; Department of Research and Development, Termomecanica São Paulo S.A., São Bernardo do Campo 09612-000, Brazil., Lobo FG; Department of Research and Development, Termomecanica São Paulo S.A., São Bernardo do Campo 09612-000, Brazil., Xander P; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas-ICAQF, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil., Zauli RC; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas-ICAQF, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil., Moraes CB; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.; Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil., Freitas-Junior LH; Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil., Barbosa CG; Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil., Pellosi DS; Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, Brazil., Silva RAG; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas-ICAQF, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil., Paganotti A; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas-ICAQF, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil., Vasconcellos SP; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas-ICAQF, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
The use of copper as an antimicrobial agent has a long history and has gained renewed interest in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the authors investigated the antimicrobial properties of an alloy composed of copper with a small percentage of silver (Cu-0.03% wt.Ag). The alloy was tested against various pathogens, including Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Candida albicans , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and the H1N1 virus, using contact exposure tests. Results showed that the alloy was capable of inactivating these pathogens in two hours or less, indicating its strong antimicrobial activity. Electrochemical measurements were also performed, revealing that the small addition of silver to copper promoted a higher resistance to corrosion and shifted the formation of copper ions to higher potentials. This shift led to a slow but continuous release of Cu 2+ ions, which have high biocidal activity. These findings show that the addition of small amounts of silver to copper can enhance its biocidal properties and improve its effectiveness as an antimicrobial material. |
