ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Scientists have created an antimicrobial coating said to be capable of killing a wide range of pathogens including MRSA, flu and SARS-CoV-2.

The development is said to pave the way for substantial improvements in scientific, commercial and clinical hygiene.

A team from Nottingham University created the material by combining epoxy resin with chlorhexidine digluconate, a disinfectant used by dentists to treat mouth infections and by clinicians for cleaning surgical sites. The team worked with Birmingham-based Indestructible Paint to create a prototype antimicrobial coating.

They found that once it had dried, the coating was highly effective against a range of pathogens including some antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Project leader Felicity de Cogan claims it could be used on a range of plastic and hard non-porous surfaces.

"Crucially, it could be effective in clinical environments where surfaces like hospital beds and toilet seats can act as a breeding ground for bacteria for extended periods of time - even after the introduction of stringent cleaning regimes," she said.

The presence of the paint on a surface will actively and continuously kill bacteria and viruses on contact, said De Cogan.

"This means you can be sure a surface won't pass on infections when you touch it," she said. "We are looking at more extensive testing in harsher environments and long-term durability testing over months and years. This work is ongoing and we will be following up with another publication shortly."

The team is also investigating the material's viability in the transport and aerospace industries where it could be used on frequently-touched surfaces such as aeroplane seats and tray tables.