“a method to decontaminate solid surface”

Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to microbial decontamination of solid surfaces. The disclosure provides method for reducing or eliminating microbes from a solid surface by employing a combination of quaternary ammonium compound coating onto the solid surface and electric field application. Particularly, the method comprises subjecting a solid surface to an electric field comprising a voltage of 2 kV / cm to 6 kV / cm and a capacitance of 0.002 µF to 0.06 µF, to reduce or eliminate the microbes from the solid surface, wherein said solid surface comprises a coating of quaternary ammonium compound. Corresponding products including kit and solid material / device are also provided. The present method has several advantages including but not limiting to high efficiency (>4log10 or >99.99%) in reducing / eliminating microbial load on solid surfaces; requirement of very low concentrations of quaternary ammonium compound [about 0.01% (w / v) to 1% (w / v)] to achieve said high efficiency; and shorter time-periods.