Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy.
Sci Rep. 2024 Apr 17;14(1):8830. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-59485-7.
Face masks are essential in reducing the transmission of respiratory infections and bacterial filtration efficiency, a key parameter of mask performances, requires the use of Staphylococcus aureus and specialised staff. This study aims to develop a novel method for a preliminary screening of masks or materials filtration efficiency by a green, easy and rapid setup based on the use of a riboflavin solution, a safe autofluorescent biomolecule. The proposed setup is composed of a commercial aerosol generator commonly used for aerosol therapy, custom 3D printed aerosol chamber and sample holder, a filter for downstream riboflavin detection and a vacuum pump. The filtration efficiency of four different masks was assessed using the riboflavin-based setup and the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE). The averaged filtration efficiency values, measured with both methods, were similar but were higher for the riboflavin-based setup (about 2% for all tested samples) than bacterial filtration efficiency. Considering the good correlation, the riboflavin-based setup can be considered validated as an alternative method to bacterial filtration efficiency for masks and related materials fabrics filtration efficiency screening but This study aims to develop a novel method for a preliminary screening of masks or materials filtration efficiency by a green, easy and rapid setup based on the use of a riboflavin solution, a safe autofluorescent biomolecule, but not to replace regulation approaches. The proposed setup can be easily implemented at low price, is more rapid and eco-friendly and can be performed in chemical-physical laboratories without the needing of biosafety laboratory and specialised operators.
口罩在降低呼吸道感染传播方面至关重要，细菌过滤效率是口罩性能的一个关键参数，这需要使用金黄色葡萄球菌和专业人员。本研究旨在开发一种新的方法，通过使用核黄素溶液（一种安全的自发荧光生物分子）建立一个绿色、简单和快速的初步筛选口罩或材料过滤效率的方法。该方法使用一个商业化的气溶胶发生器，定制的 3D 打印气溶胶室和样品架，一个用于下游核黄素检测的过滤器和一个真空泵。使用核黄素基装置和细菌过滤效率（BFE）评估了四种不同口罩的过滤效率。两种方法测量的平均过滤效率值相似，但核黄素基装置的过滤效率值更高（所有测试样品均约为 2%）。考虑到良好的相关性，可以认为核黄素基装置可作为细菌过滤效率的替代方法，用于口罩和相关材料的过滤效率筛选，但本研究旨在开发一种新的方法，通过使用核黄素溶液（一种安全的自发荧光生物分子）建立一个绿色、简单和快速的初步筛选口罩或材料过滤效率的方法，而不是取代监管方法。该装置可以以较低的价格轻松实现，更快速、环保，并且可以在化学物理实验室中进行，而无需生物安全实验室和专业操作人员。
