Reduction of bacterial contamination on indoor surfaces using Titania nanostructures

Abstract

Presence of pathogenic bacteria in the indoor environment deteriorates its quality and has long been recognized as a major source of household and nosocominal infections. Study was undertaken to evaluate the antibacterial performance of titania nano-materials in the indoor environment. Titania nanoparticles and nanotubes (both pure and 1% iron doped) were prepared using liquid impregnation and hydrothermal methods respectively, followed by characterization using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Complete inhibition of bacterial colonies was achieved through coating of prepared nano-materials at wooden surfaces. Myroidaceae family alongwith non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria group i.e. Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Brucella Specie, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex, Chryseobacterium meningosepticum and gram positive strains i.e.Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Bacillus butanolivoranswere the disinfected strains, identified using Analytical Profile Index (API) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. All these strains are well known for their nosocomial infections. Results suggest the photocatalytic titania nano-material coating as a promising self-sanitizing surface that could be employed in an hospital environment and other public places to control nosocomial infections.