Germs don't stand a chance - science and industry are jointly researching new plastic surfaces

Developing new antimicrobial plastic surfaces for the protection of humans and animals is the goal of the "SmartSurf" project, in which the University of Bonn, Münster University of Applied Sciences and six commercial companies are involved. The research serves to improve food quality and safety. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology is making around 1,4 million euros available over a period of three years. The companies involved are taking on a good 500.000 euros.

Bacteria, fungi and viruses have been declared war against by experts from hygiene and health care as well as from the agricultural and food industry. For years they have been tackling the pathogens with cleaning and disinfection measures. It is not uncommon, however, for microorganisms to survive these procedures in biofilms that are difficult to eliminate. For example, plastic surfaces that come into direct contact with feed or foodstuffs are often contaminated with high germ counts and thus endanger people or animals. The material itself can also be damaged.

Modifying plastics in such a way that microorganisms can no longer accumulate and multiply is the aim of the "SmartSurf" project funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. During the 36-month term, permanently antimicrobial plastics are to be developed that inhibit the formation of biofilms, but are toxicologically and ecologically harmless. The project partners from science and business have now met in Bonn for the start of the project. The interdisciplinary consortium brings together chemists, food technologists, agricultural and nutritional scientists from Bonn and Münster with six relevant companies that are involved in the development of new plastics and their testing under practical conditions.

In addition to the University of Bonn, the University of Applied Sciences in Münster, headed by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Lorenz and Prof. Dr. Martin Kreyenschmidt involved. The Cold Chain Management (CCM) junior research group at the University of Bonn, headed by Dr. Judith Kreyenschmidt, sure. The overall coordination is the responsibility of the head of the Preventive Health Management department of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Bonn, Prof. Brigitte Petersen.

Source: Bonn [ RFWU ]