Staphylococcus aureus detachment from linoleum surface: influence of liquid flow rate and cleaner type.

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyse the impact of surface cleaner type and hydrodynamic flow on bacterial detachment. For that purpose, a new liquid flow chamber was constructed and applied. In experiments, Staphylococcus aureus was grown on linoleum surfaces that are used in health care institutions. The bare surfaces were characterized by contact angle, zeta potential and surface roughness measurements. Material element analysis of linoleum was made. The main object is to determine how efficient different clearner type and strength of the liquid flow remove adhered bacteria from the linoleum surface. Bacterial detachment from linoleum surface was studied by turbulent liquid flow of cleaning solutions at room temperature. The impact of different surface cleaners on bacterial detachment was examined and compared to the effect of distilled water. For this reason, the exact identification of cleaner constituents was performed. Very realistic cleaning technique based on multiple swiping with a cloth was also applied. Results show that the turbulent flow can remove a significant number of bacteria adhered to the linoleum surface. The effect increases with the liquid flow rate and is cleaner specific.