J. Kielemoes et W. Verstraete, Influence of copper-alloying of austenitic stainless steel on multi-species biofilm development, LETT APPL M, 33(2), 2001, pp. 148-152
Aims: To investigate the bactericidal influence of copper-alloying of stain
less steel on microbial colonization.
Methods and Results: Inhibition of bacterial adherence was investigated by
monitoring (192 h) the development of a multi-species biofilm on Cu-alloyed
(3.72 wt%) stainless steel in a natural surface water. During the first 12
0 h of exposure, lower numbers of viable bacteria in the water in contact w
ith copper-containing steel relative to ordinary stainless steel were obser
ved. Moreover, during the first 48 h of exposure, lower colony counts were
found in the biofilm adhering to the Cu-alloyed steel. No lower colony or v
iable counts were found throughout the remainder of the experimental period
.
Conclusions: The presence of Cu in the steel matrix impedes the adhesion of
micro-organisms during an initial period (48 h), while this bactericidal e
ffect disappears after longer incubation periods.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The application of Cu-alloyed stainle
ss steels for bactericidal purposes should be restricted to regularly-clean
ed surfaces.