Effectiveness of Vital Oxide for Controlling Fungal Contamination

 

ABSTRACT

University of Tulsa Study - Mold on Building Materials

Rationale: Mold growth on building materials can be an exposure risk for atopic
individuals. The gas chlorine dioxide is an effective fungicide but is unstable.
Vital oxide (VO) is an aqueous solution containing either 0.2% or 0.5% chlorine
dioxide in a stabilized form. The goal of this investigation was to determine the
effects of VO on fungi commonly found growing on building materials.

Methods: Ceiling tile and sheetrock squares (36 cm2) were sterilized and then
saturated with either sterile distilled water or various concentrations of VO.
Saturated squares were inoculated with a spore suspension of one of the
following fungi: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor,
Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium sp., and Stachybotrys chartarum. Cultures
were incubated at room temperature for up to eight weeks. Spray applications of
VO were also tested on ceiling tile squares inoculated with Asp. fumigatus or S.
chartarum. Spore germination of all six species was evaluated in Sabouraud’s
broth with and without VO for 96 hrs.

Results: VO solutions containing either 0.1% or 0.2% chlorine dioxide inhibited
growth of all six fungi on both ceiling tile and sheetrock squares. Spray
applications were also effective for the species tested. In the germination
experiments, some spore germination occurred in the medium with 0.1% chlorine
dioxide ranging from <1% germination for Alternaria spores to 18% for
Chaetomium spores; however, media with higher chlorine dioxide levels
prevented spore germination for all species.

Conclusions: VO inhibited growth of fungi on sheetrock and ceiling tiles and
shows possible applications for control of indoor fungal contamination.

 

INTRODUCTION

  • Water-damaged building materials, such as ceiling tiles and sheetrock, are prone to fungal contamination due to their high cellulose content. Fungal growth on these materials can be an exposure risk for mold sensitive individuals.
  • The gas chlorine dioxide is an antimicrobial pesticide known for its disinfectant properties for the past century. This gas is an effective fungicide but requires special handling. It has been unstable in liquid and is often prepared on-site when liquid applications are needed.
  • Vital oxide (VO) is an aqueous solution containing either 0.2% or 0.5% chlorine dioxide in a stabilized form. The current project was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of VO for controlling fungal growth on building materials.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

  • Vital Oxide: Two preparations of Vital Oxide (VO) were used in these experiments: Ready To Use (VO-RTU) with 0.2% ClO2 and Professional Strength (VO-PS) at 0.5% ClO2
  • Spore germination: Spore suspensions of Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium sp., and Stachybotrys chartarum were prepared by harvesting spores from cultures grown on malt extract agar. Spore germination of all six species was evaluated in Sabouraud’s broth with and without VO.
  • Building material cultures: Ceiling tile (CTS) and sheetrock (SRS) squares (36 cm2) were sterilized by autoclaving and then saturated with either sterile distilled water or various concentrations of VO. Saturated squares were inoculated with a spore suspension of test fungi and incubated at room temperature for up to 8 weeks.
  • Spray application of VO: Sterile CTS and SRS were saturated with sterile distilled water and inoculated with test fungi. When growth was visible, half the materials were sprayed with 5 sprays (3.5 ml) VO. Incubation continued for up to 10 wks.
  • Viability Tests: Sterile SRS were saturated with sterile distilled water and inoculated with Stachybotrys chartarum or Aspergillus fumigatus and incubated 2 to 4 wks. One half of the cultures were sprayed with 7 sprays (5 ml) of VO-RTU. SRS were incubated for an additional 48 hrs. Spores were harvested with a cell lifter and placed in 10 ml of sterile water. Spores were counted with a hemacytometer and percent viability was determined by dilution plating.

RESULTS

 

  • Culture medium with 50% VO-RTU was effective in inhibiting spore germination for Alternaria, Stachybotrys, and Penicillium spores. Chaetomium spores had an 18% germination rate. The medium with 50% of VO-PS was effective in inhibiting germination for all spores.


  • Pretreatment of CTS and SRS with VO-RTU was effective in preventing fungal growth. In fact, CTS were still able to inhibit fungal growth 7 months after saturation.
  • Spray applications using VO-RTU on CTS and SRS with active fungal growth resulted in a resumption of fungal growth within approximately 2 wks when CTS or SRS were water saturated and not allowed to dry.
  • Spray applications using VO-PS were more effective inhibiting fungal growth up to 2 months for some fungi even in water saturated conditions.
  • Spray applications of VO-RTU were effective in reducing viability of Aspergillus fumigatus spores.

 

 

 

 

 

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