A Pilot Study on Novel Elastomers’ Antimicrobial Activity Against Legionella pneumophila and Salmonella Enteritidis

Both synthetic and natural rubber-like elastomers are widely employed in industrial
applications (such as tires, seals, protective gloves, and damping absorbers) as
well as in the food and animal husbandry industries. These materials should be regularly
checked for contamination and the associated infectious risk since they frequently come
into contact with food, animals, and people. Additionally, they could act as vehicle of
microbes and, as a result, diseases. This pilot study investigates the antibacterial efficacy
of novel elastomer formulations against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis
and Legionella pneumophila, with possible applications in drinking water distribution
systems (DWDSs). This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two rubber
and five silicone patented elastomers with antibacterial additives. Two microbiological
concentrations (103 and 104 CFU/mL) were used to compare the efficacy of the elastomers.
The results showed a significant decrease in bacterial load in several silicone formulations,
with two of them showing the strongest bactericidal efficacy against L. pneumophila (0% and
3% survival rates for VMQ105 and VMQ500L formulations, respectively), despite the wide
variations in S. Enteritidis inhibition. One rubber elastomer performed better than the other
in terms of reducing bacterial survival for both pathogens (NBRCA) while NBROM showed
a 0% survival rate only for L. pneumophila. The findings suggest that certain elastomer
compositions might lessen the potential infectious risks in water systems or contaminated
matrices. Future research may investigate in situ applications, particularly in hospitals or
dental offices where these pathogens pose major health risks.