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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Novel Disinfectants and Antiviral Agents
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Novel Disinfectants and Antiviral Agents

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1776

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Takashi Onodera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Center for Food Safety, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
Interests: virology; immunology; prions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, medical instruments are sterilized by autoclaving, gamma-ray treatment and, UV exposure, and the use of gases such as ethylene oxide, as hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, peracetic acid. Autoclaving is really quick, highly penetrative, and generate no toxic residues, but temperature of 120 ℃ could damage the material being sterilized. Treatment with gamma rays is highly penetrative, and involves low temperatures with no associated residues, but it could induce no changes in the properties of the materials and is a relatively slow process. UV treatment is fast, low cost with no toxic residues, and involves low temperatures, but the effectiveness of the sterilization is poor and may result in damage to the material. Although novel techniques have been developed, such as chemical treatment with supercritical carbon dioxide as well as freeze-drying and other methods, these procedures are often ineffective and may damage the materials being sterilized. Plasma is effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria spores and prions, both of which display a high level of resistance to chemical and physical treatments. New kinds of herb extracts also will open the new fields in biological disinfection.

Prof. Dr. Takashi Onodera
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antibacterial therapies
  • antiviral therapies
  • discharge
  • disinfection
  • ephedra herb macromolecule condensed- tannin
  • herb extract
  • inactivation
  • sterilization
  • plasma technology
  • toxins

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 1941 KB  
Article
From Bench to Breath: Material Integrity and Performance of Filtering Facepiece Respirators and Surgical Masks After Multi-Cycle Dry-Heat Reprocessing
by Mohammad Sagor Hosen, José G. B. Derraik, Mohammad Shahbaz, William A. Anderson, Yvonne C. Anderson and Mark P. Staiger
Microorganisms 2026, 14(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14010069 - 29 Dec 2025
Viewed by 98
Abstract
Dry heat inactivates pathogens on personal protective equipment without chemical residues, but its effects on material integrity and performance across multiple reprocessing cycles have not been comprehensively assessed. We evaluated five filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) models and three surgical mask (SM) models after [...] Read more.
Dry heat inactivates pathogens on personal protective equipment without chemical residues, but its effects on material integrity and performance across multiple reprocessing cycles have not been comprehensively assessed. We evaluated five filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) models and three surgical mask (SM) models after one, two, and three cycles of dry heat (80 °C, 90 min). We measured fabric and strap tensile properties as indicators of mechanical durability [Young’s modulus (E), yield strength (σy), ultimate tensile strength (σUTS), and strain at failure (εf)]. We also assessed particle filtration efficiency (PFE) and airflow resistance (breathability). Under the methods applied herein, all untreated SMs and FFRs performed within the range anticipated for their type. Tensile properties exhibited heterogeneous, model-specific responses to thermal stress. FFR fabrics ranged from progressive stiffening (Dräger DR-X1720C; +120% E) to marked softening (3M-8210; −82% E), while SM fabrics exhibited softening, consistent with thermal relaxation. Straps made of thermoplastic elastomer (3M-8210 and 3M-9320A+) weakened (15–31% σUTS decrease), whereas braided polyisoprene straps (3M-1860S and 3M-1870+) maintained their original strength. Despite these changes, all treated FFR replicates met filtration requirements across all cycles (45/45). For SMs, 24/27 treated replicates met the required PFE threshold (≥98%), but 3 treated RH-S919B replicates fell below this threshold (PFE 94.9% and 97.7% after one cycle, and PFE 97.3% after three cycles), identifying a potential model-specific vulnerability to the treatment. Breathability remained within control ranges for most models; however, the Level 2 ZA-S001B showed decreased breathability (higher airflow resistance) after two (+11.1 Pa) and three (+13.3 Pa) dry-heat cycles, whereas the Level 3 RH-S920TFG showed modest improvements in breathability (lower airflow resistance, up to −10.1 Pa). Under these laboratory conditions, up to three cycles of dry heat at 80 °C for 90 min preserved PFE and breathability in all treated FFR replicates and in most treated SM replicates. Nonetheless, there were measurable, component-specific mechanical changes (especially in some straps) that could compromise fit and durability with repeated use. These findings support dry heat at 80 °C for 90 min as a potential component of emergency PPE processing strategies, provided that model-specific quantitative fit testing and extended-wear studies confirm safe real-world reuse, regulatory approvals are met, and end-user acceptability is considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Disinfectants and Antiviral Agents)
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13 pages, 1453 KB  
Article
Control of Airborne and Surface Microorganisms in Real Indoor Environments Using an Integrated System of Vaporized Free Chlorine Components and Filtration
by Saki Kawahata, Mayumi Kondo, Atsushi Yamada, Naoya Shimazaki, Makoto Saito, Takayoshi Takano, Tetsuyoshi Yamada, Yoshinobu Shimayama, Shunsuke Matsuoka and Hirokazu Kimura
Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 2053; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092053 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Airborne and surface-residing microorganisms in indoor environments pose potential risks for infectious disease transmission. To address this issue, we developed a composite device combining a generator of vaporized free chlorine components with a fine particle removal filter. Field tests were conducted in occupied [...] Read more.
Airborne and surface-residing microorganisms in indoor environments pose potential risks for infectious disease transmission. To address this issue, we developed a composite device combining a generator of vaporized free chlorine components with a fine particle removal filter. Field tests were conducted in occupied university classrooms to evaluate the device’s efficacy in reducing airborne bacterial loads. Airborne bacteria were sampled under three operational conditions [Electrolyzed (+)/Filter (+), Electrolyzed (−)/Filter (+), and Electrolyzed (−)/Filter (−)]. Significant reductions in bacterial counts were observed in the Electrolyzed (+)/Filter (+) condition, with a residual rate of 14.5% after 2.25 h (p = 0.00001). Additionally, surface contact tests demonstrated that vaporized free chlorine components, primarily consisting of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), reduced viable counts of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus by 59.0–99.7% even at a distance of 8.0 m. The concentrations of vaporized free chlorine components during operation remained within safe exposure limits (0–19 ppb), consistent with the effective range reported in prior literature (10–50 ppb). Computational fluid dynamics simulations confirmed the diffusion of vaporized free chlorine components throughout the room, including distant sampling points. These findings suggest the combined use of a vaporized free chlorine generator and a particulate filter effectively reduces microbial contamination in indoor environments, providing a promising approach for infection control in residential and public settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Disinfectants and Antiviral Agents)
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