Catalase Enzymatic Surface Cleanliness Detection Kit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for ensuring surface cleanliness in contaminated environments, such as hospitals and laboratories, are inadequate due to the difficulty in detecting microorganisms and radioactivity, and existing technologies rely on catalase-positive bacteria, failing to address non-catalase-producing microorganisms and radioactive contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A method and kit using an enzymatic solution with catalase and a developer solution containing hydrogen peroxide for visual detection of surface cleanliness, where the enzymatic solution is applied to a surface before cleaning and the developer solution is applied afterward to indicate residual catalase activity, forming visible bubbles if the surface is not properly cleaned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods (smears, UV ink markers) are used to detect surface cleanliness, then detection capability is provided, but the process becomes complex, time-consuming, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection function from complex laboratory procedures and remote analysis systems, consolidating it into a simple two-solution application system that can be performed on-site. The enzymatic solution with catalase and developer solution with hydrogen peroxide create a self-contained detection system that eliminates the need for complex sampling, transportation, and laboratory analysis equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is self-service in that it performs all detection functions through simple application of two solutions. The catalase in the enzymatic solution reacts with hydrogen peroxide in the developer solution to produce visible bubbles, providing immediate self-indication of contamination without requiring external laboratory equipment or specialized operators.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple smears are taken to cover large surfaces, then detection coverage is improved, but the time and cost of analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enzymatic solution with catalase serves as a universal indicator that can detect contamination across any surface area. Instead of requiring multiple separate smears for different areas, a single application of the enzymatic solution followed by the developer solution provides uniform coverage and detection across the entire surface, making the system area-independent and highly efficient for large surfaces.
3Measurement precision
If catalase-based detection methods are used, then detection of catalase-positive bacteria is improved, but detection of non-catalase-producing microorganisms and radioactive contaminants fails
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary substance (catalase enzyme) that is applied to the surface before cleaning. This catalase acts as a marker or tag that remains on the surface regardless of the actual contamination type. After cleaning, the presence or absence of this intermediary catalase marker indicates whether the surface was properly cleaned, making the detection independent of the original contaminant type including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or radioactive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to detect the contaminant directly (which varies in type and properties), the invention inverts the approach by applying a known substance (catalase) to the surface and then detecting whether that substance remains after cleaning. The detection reaction between catalase and hydrogen peroxide produces visible bubbles, providing indirect but reliable evidence of cleaning effectiveness regardless of what the original contamination was.
4Measurement precision
If remote laboratory analysis is performed, then detection accuracy is maintained, but cross-contamination risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection in-situ at the location where cleaning occurred, eliminating the need to transport samples to remote laboratories. The enzymatic and developer solutions react directly on the surface to produce visible bubble patterns that indicate contamination, providing immediate self-service detection without sample handling, transportation, or external laboratory processing, thereby eliminating cross-contamination risks associated with sample transport.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for real-time, cost-effective, and easy-to-use visual detection of surface cleanliness without damaging surfaces, preventing cross-contamination, and providing stable aqueous solutions that can evaporate quickly, effectively assessing the removal of various contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention concerns methods, compositions and kits for determining the cleanness of a surface that are based on the reaction of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalase
Implementation Method 2
The above chemical reaction is well known and it has been applied by others for the detection of microorganism and biofilms
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for determining the cleanness of a surface. Described herein is a kit for determining the cleanness of a surface comprising an enzymatic solution comprising catalase; and a developer solution comprising hydrogen peroxide. Described also is a method for determining the cleanness of a surface comprising: applying on a zone of a surface to be cleaned an enzymatic solution comprising catalase and letting it dry; after cleaning said surface, applying on said zone a developer solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; and detecting a catalytic reaction between remaining catalase and hydrogen peroxide, wherein presence of a catalytic reaction is indicative of a surface not properly cleaned. Also provided are specific enzymatic solutions and developer solutions for the kits and methods.