Alginate-Coated Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles as a Disinfectant for Duodenoscope Reprocessing

Calcium peroxide nanoparticles (NPs) coated with sodium alginate (CaO2–Alg NPs) were synthesized and tested to obtain a disinfectant capable of fighting nosocomial infections produced by the duodenoscope investigations. Calcium peroxide was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electronic microscopy, electron spin resonance, and thermal analysis. CaO2–Alg NPs proved to ensure a moderate oxidative environment at pH = 7, as suggested by the analysis of the electron spin resonance spectra of the free radicals that resulted from hydrogen peroxide released. The NPs presented remarkable antimicrobial properties against the main bacterial strains known as multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) represented by Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium.