Texas A&M researchers have created a coating that battles cross-contamination of produce, according to a news release.
Researchers say that the coating can be applied to surfaces like conveyor belts and collection buckets.
“Consuming contaminated raw foods causes hundreds of people to get sick annually, and so food contamination is not only a huge health concern but is also a significant economic burden,” Mustafa Akbulut, associate professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, said in the release.
“In our study, we show that our new dual-function coating — one that can both repel and kill bacteria — can greatly mitigate bacterial spread, averting cross-contamination.”
In addition to being germicidal, the release said researchers have designed their coating to be extremely water-repellent.
Fresh produce is generally washed and then sanitized in powerful antimicrobials, like hydrogen peroxide or acetic acid, according to the release. Still, pathogens can be difficult to eliminate in hard-to-reach places on the skins of fruits and vegetables. If the number of bacteria is large enough, biofilms can be formed that further protect produce from the action of sanitizers, according to the release.
Akbulut said in the release that the coating’s water-repelling property can help food-contact surfaces retain their germicidal action much longer.
“Most bacteria can only survive in an aqueous environment,” Akbulut said in the release. “If surfaces are superhydrophobic, then water — and along with it, most of the bacteria — will be repelled away. With fewer bacteria around, less germicides are used up, increasing the overall lifetime of the coating.”
Researchers said that more investigation is needed to determine if the coating works equally well for mitigating viral cross-contamination. In addition, Akbulut said researchers are working on developing more permanent, dual functionality coatings.
“Our goal is to create smart surfaces that can avert any kind of pathogen from attaching and multiplying,” Akbulut said in the release.
“In this regard, we have developed surface coatings that can prevent bacteria from collecting on surfaces, which is one of the major reasons for cross-contamination. We are now working with researchers in agriculture to take our invention from bench to practice.”
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