Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin
Online ISSN : 1347-5215
Print ISSN : 0918-6158
ISSN-L : 0918-6158
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The Bactericidal Effect of MA-T for Factitiously Contaminated and Used Masks
Ryuta UrakawaTakekatsu ShibataMotofumi SogouKiyoto TakamoriTsuyoshi InoueKiyoshi KonishiTakayoshi Sakai
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2022 Volume 45 Issue 6 Pages 757-762

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Abstract

Matching transformation system (MA-T), an on-demand aqueous chlorine dioxide solution, is an excellent safety disinfectant, because chlorine dioxide is not detected during storage or before use. The production of chlorine dioxide in MA-T is induced by a catalytic reaction in the presence of target microorganisms. In this study, we investigated MA-T disinfection of masks as a reuse method to eliminate mask shortages. After spraying Escherichia coli on sterilized surgical mask, samples (factitiously contaminated masks) were treated with MA-T spraying or immersion, and the bactericidal efficacy was assessed by culturing. Used surgical masks were also sprayed with MA-T or were immersed in MA-T, and then were cultured to verify the bactericidal effect. The performance of N95 masks was assessed before and after application of MA-T. After spraying with MA-T, the numbers of bacteria of factitiously contaminated masks and used masks were drastically reduced compared with control samples (not applicable and p = 0.002, respectively). After MA-T immersion, the bacterial counts of both masks (factitiously contaminated masks and used masks) were significantly reduced (both p = 0.002). Taken together, the disinfection test on factitiously contaminated with E. coli and used surgical masks showed that masks can be disinfected by MA-T spray and sterilized by immersion, respectively. The N95 mask performance test after 30 min of immersion in MA-T showed that MA-T disinfected the mask without degrading the performance of the mask. In conclusion, MA-T is useful for the reuse of masks because of its decontamination effect and safety while maintaining the function of the mask.

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© 2022 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
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