Inhibition of various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria growth on selenium nanoparticle coated paper towels

Abstract

There are wide spread bacterial contamination issues on various paper products, such as paper towels hanging in sink splash zones or those used to clean surfaces, filter papers used in water and air purifying systems, and wrappings used in the food industry; such contamination may lead to the potential spread of bacteria and consequent severe health concerns. In this study, selenium nanoparticles were coated on normal paper towel surfaces through a quick precipitation method, introducing antibacterial properties to the paper towels in a healthy way. Their effectiveness at preventing biofilm formation was tested in bacterial assays involving Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli , and Staphylococcus epidermidis . The results showed significant and continuous bacteria inhibition with about a 90% reduction from 24 to 72 hours for gram-positive bacteria including S. aureus and S. epidermidis . The selenium coated paper towels also showed significant inhibition of gram-negative bacteria like P. aeruginosa and E. coli growth at about 57% and 84%, respectively, after 72 hours of treatment. Therefore, this study established a promising selenium-based antibacterial strategy to prevent bacterial growth on paper products, which may lead to the avoidance of bacteria spreading and consequent severe health concerns.

High throughput microencapsulation of Bacillus subtilis in semi-permeable biodegradable polymersomes for selenium remediation

“…Selenium is a trace mineral essential for human health but toxic when consumed in excess. Selenium has also been reported to have important anti-bacterial (Wang and Webster 2013; Tran and Webster 2013; Chudobova et al 2014; Estevam et al 2015; Wang et al 2015) and anti-cancer properties (Wallenberg et al 2014; Fernandes and Gandin 2015). Of all the essential elements, however, selenium has one of the narrowest ranges between dietary deficiency (40 µg/day) and toxic levels (400 µg/day) (World Health Organization 1996).…”

Recent research progress on the synthesis and biological effects of selenium nanoparticles

“…SeNPs have significant and sustained bacteriostatic effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such as S. aureus , S. epidermidis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and E. coli ( 101 ). SeNPs can induce bacteria to produce a large amount of ROS, which destroys the redox balance mechanism in bacteria and causes oxidative damage to the lipids, proteins, and DNA structures of the oxide membrane ( 102 ).…”

Antimicrobial and biocide resistance in Staphylococcus aureus: genomic features, decontamination strategies, and the role of S. aureus complex-related species, with a focus on ready-to-eat food and food-contact surfaces

“…Chemical elements could also be added to other disposable materials. For instance, bacterial growth can occur on paper products, such as wrappings and towels used in the food sector, that, therefore, may represent sources of S. aureus contamination during food packaging, surface cleaning, or hand drying (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015). Considering this, paper towels coated with selenium (Se) nanoparticles were shown to be able to inhibit the growth of S. aureus by 89% when compared to Se-uncoated paper towels (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015).…”

“…For instance, bacterial growth can occur on paper products, such as wrappings and towels used in the food sector, that, therefore, may represent sources of S. aureus contamination during food packaging, surface cleaning, or hand drying (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015). Considering this, paper towels coated with selenium (Se) nanoparticles were shown to be able to inhibit the growth of S. aureus by 89% when compared to Se-uncoated paper towels (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015). The ability to adsorb large amounts of proteins is probably one of the mechanisms by which the Se-coated paper towels inhibited bacterial growth, and they were proposed as a promising selenium-based antibacterial strategy that may prevent bacterial spreading in the food sector (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015).…”

“…Considering this, paper towels coated with selenium (Se) nanoparticles were shown to be able to inhibit the growth of S. aureus by 89% when compared to Se-uncoated paper towels (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015). The ability to adsorb large amounts of proteins is probably one of the mechanisms by which the Se-coated paper towels inhibited bacterial growth, and they were proposed as a promising selenium-based antibacterial strategy that may prevent bacterial spreading in the food sector (Wang and Webster, 2013;Wang et al, 2015).…”