BIOCIDES
An antimicrobial technology against all microorganisms
Oliver Asmus and Dr Marie-Lena Harwardt of Heraeus introduce AGXX *
Microorganisms are characterised by high adaptability and are ubiquitous in daily life . While the presence of some microorganisms is not harmful to humans and is even beneficial for biological metabolic processes , some strains of bacteria , fungi and viruses pose a serious threat to human health . Just how dangerous microorganisms can be is demonstrated by the fact that 11 million people die each year as a result of sepsis , making it accountable for almost 20 % of all deaths worldwide . Usually , bacteria cause sepsis , but it can also be caused by fungi , viruses or parasites . 1 In particular , the increasing number of multi-resistant germs that cannot be combatted with the available antibiotics poses a serious threat to patients , especially in sensitive areas like hospitals or nursing homes . In addition to the threat that microorganisms pose to human health , germs cause enormous economic damage , amounting to approximately $ 500 billion / year . 2 What makes managing these threats increasingly difficult is the fact that the choice of suitable biocides to control and combat microorganisms is becoming more limited due to the EU Biocidal Product Regulation ( BPR ). Combating the spread of harmful microorganisms is therefore one of the greatest challenges of our time . To overcome these challenges , new antimicrobial technologies are needed . One is AGXX , which was developed by the Berlin-based start-up Largentec . Heraeus licensed the technology in 2020 and has since been working on its further development and commercialisation . AGXX is characterised by a longlasting antimicrobial effect against all types of microorganisms , which is achieved through a catalytically driven
Figure 1- Circular redox system generated by AGXX
Note : On the ruthenium microcathode , water and oxygen are reduced to ROS . On the silver microanode , organic matter is oxidisedR
mechanism of action . The particle-based antimicrobial technology has already been incorporated into various systems , thereby demonstrating its antimicrobial effect . Applications includes polymers , textiles , filter , paints and coatings . The antimicrobial effect of AGXX is based on the interaction of two precious metals , ruthenium and silver . 3 The contact between the metals generates a microgalvanic system forming the basis of a catalytic redox system . Electrochemically catalysed reduction occurs at the ruthenium
Figure 2 - Antimicrobial mechanism of AGXX
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