Alshammari Fwzah H, Hussein Hebat-Allah A
Physical Department, University College of Nairiyah, University of Hafr Al Batin (UHB), Nairiyah, 31991, Saudi Arabia.
Biology Department, University College of Nairiyah, University of Hafr Al Batin (UHB), Nairiyah, 31991, Saudi Arabia.
AMB Express. 2022 Feb 8;12(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s13568-022-01345-6.
Paper sheets represent one of the infection risk sources inside educational and administrative institutions under biological pandemics. So, the present study aimed to validate the efficiency of gamma radiation or dry heat techniques to sterilize contaminated paper sheets with different indicator pathogens while retaining their structure. The results showed that gamma radiation at 6, 12, or 24 kGy can successfully kill Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, and fungi such as Candida albicans. Moreover, dry heating at 100 °C for 60 min, 150 °C for 30 min, or 200 °C for 15 min can be successful in paper decontamination of all tested species. Surprisingly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs proved that gamma radiation at 6 kGy, dry heat at 100 °C for 60 min or 150 °C for 30 min or 200 °C for 15 min, is suitable for paper sheet sterilization while maintaining their structure. Ultimately, dry heat is a simple, effective, fast, safe, and inexpensive technique for paper sterilization. It may be used as a precautionary step inside educational institutions, especially during written examination periods, to ensure a safe life for academic members during biological pandemics such as COVID-19.
在生物大流行期间，纸张是教育和行政机构内部的感染风险源之一。因此，本研究旨在验证伽马辐射或干热技术对被不同指示病原体污染的纸张进行消毒并同时保持其结构的效率。结果表明，6、12或24千戈瑞的伽马辐射能够成功杀灭革兰氏阳性菌，如蜡样芽孢杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌，革兰氏阴性菌，如大肠杆菌和伤寒沙门氏菌，以及真菌，如白色念珠菌。此外，在100℃加热60分钟、150℃加热30分钟或200℃加热15分钟能够成功对所有测试菌种进行纸张去污。令人惊讶的是，扫描电子显微镜（SEM）显微照片证明，6千戈瑞的伽马辐射、100℃加热60分钟、150℃加热30分钟或200℃加热15分钟适用于纸张消毒，同时保持其结构。最终，干热是一种简单、有效、快速、安全且廉价的纸张消毒技术。它可作为教育机构内部的预防措施，尤其是在笔试期间，以确保在COVID-19等生物大流行期间学术人员的安全。
