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Republic Polytechnic
Health and Wellness

Stable Plant-based Photoactive Antimicrobial Agent

An alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents, this antimicrobial agent destroys microbes through the broad-spectrum biocidal activity from the production of highly reactive oxygen species when the agent is activated by light.

Gloved hand holding a petri dish with several dark and white circular colonies.

Technology overview

Antimicrobial resistance developed due to the overuse of conventional antimicrobial agents in surface coatings and consumer products is a global concern for the treatment of infectious diseases in recent years. This raises the importance of alternative antimicrobial agents in antiseptic products.

RP has developed a stabilised form of a plant-based photoactive antimicrobial agent, which produces highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) when activated by light. The enhanced environmental stability has made it suitable to be incorporated in various materials for the self-sterilising product applications and may provide a “greener solution” to limit the spread of pathogens and transmission of infections by indirect contact.

Technology features

  • The antimicrobial agent developed is from a plant source, which is readily available and cheap.

  • Demonstrated in many scientific literatures as a natural antimicrobial that has broad-spectrum activity against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

  • The stabilisation of the antimicrobial agent is achieved by a single-step chemical reaction, which does not affect the antimicrobial properties.

  • The preliminary studies demonstrate antimicrobial activity by visible light activation as well.

Potential applications

  • Coatings for diverse surfaces including plastics, leather, wood, concrete and metal.

  • Potential applications in fabric dye, personal care products and food packaging materials due to its plant origin/source.

Benefits

  • Infection control measures to create self-sterilising contact surfaces.

  • Sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Commercialisation

This technology is available for licensing and technology transfer.

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