Comparative Studies of Anti-viral/bacterial Effects by Copper and Silver Compounds

摘要

@@ Introduction From ancient times, silver and copper has been known as antibacterial agents. Tiny amount of silver or copper ions can kill bacteria, which is called by "oligodynamy effect". The mechanism of action has been proposed as binding to biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and membranes) with silver and copper ions or damage by reactive oxygen species generated by redox cycles of copper [1]. We recently found that the solid state of copper (I) compounds such as copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) efficiently inactivate virus including influenza and that the effect was mainly caused by contact with solid surface of CU2O. However,antiviral activity and the mechanism of silver compoundshas not been studied in detail.In this research,antiviral and antibacterial effects by silver (I) ions and silver compounds were evaluated and compared with CU2O.