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Copper as an antimicrobial agent: recent advances

Salah, I; Parkin, IP; Allan, E; (2021) Copper as an antimicrobial agent: recent advances. RSC Advances , 11 (30) pp. 18179-18186. 10.1039/d1ra02149d. Green open access

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Abstract

From its uses in ancient civilisations, copper has an established history as an antimicrobial agent. Extensive research has determined the efficacy and mechanism of copper's antimicrobial activity against microorganisms. The process is multifaceted with the main mechanism of bactericidal activity being the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which irreversibly damages membranes. Copper ions released from surfaces lead to RNA degradation and membrane disruption of enveloped viruses. For fungi, the mechanism involves the physical deterioration of the membrane and copper ion influx. Due to variations in the experimental parameters, it is difficult to compare studies directly. In this review article, we outline the importance of the experimental conditions currently employed and how they bear little resemblance to real-world conditions. We endorse previous recommendations calling for an update to industrial standard tests.

Type: Article
Title: Copper as an antimicrobial agent: recent advances
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1039/d1ra02149d
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d1ra02149d
Language: English
Additional information: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute > Microbial Diseases
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10129020
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