Bacterial Killing by Dry Metallic Copper Surfaces

Authors

Christophe Espírito Santo, University of CoimbraFollow
Ee Wen Lam, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Christian Elowsky, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Davide Quaranta, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Dylan W. Domaille, University of California, BerkeleyFollow
Christopher J. Chang, University of California, BerkeleyFollow
Gregor Grass, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2-2011

Citation

APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Feb. 2011, p. 794–802, Vol. 77, No. 3

doi:10.1128/AEM.01599-10

Comments

Copyright © 2011, American Society for Microbiology. Used by permission.

Abstract

Metallic copper surfaces rapidly and efficiently kill bacteria. Cells exposed to copper surfaces accumulated large amounts of copper ions, and this copper uptake was faster from dry copper than from moist copper. Cells suffered extensive membrane damage within minutes of exposure to dry copper. Further, cells removed from copper showed loss of cell integrity. Acute contact with metallic copper surfaces did not result in increased mutation rates or DNA lesions. These findings are important first steps for revealing the molecular sensitive targets in cells lethally challenged by exposure to copper surfaces and provide a scientific explanation for the use of copper surfaces as antimicrobial agents for supporting public hygiene.