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Microbial Contamination and Survival Rate on Different Types of Banknotes

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  • Derniza Cozorici

    (Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
    Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnologies, Faculty of Medical Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Roxana-Alexandra Măciucă

    (Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
    Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91–95 Splaiul Independenței, 050095 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Costel Stancu

    (Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Bianca-Maria Tihăuan

    (Research Institute of the University of Bucharest—ICUB, 91-95 Splaiul Independenței, 050567 Bucharest, Romania
    Research & Development for Advanced Biotechnologies and Medical Devices, SC Sanimed International Impex SRL, 087040 Călugăreni, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Robert Bogdan Uță

    (Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cosmin Iulian Codrea

    (“Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
    Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Răzvan Matache

    (National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, 294 Splaiul Independentei, 060031 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cristian-Emilian Pop

    (Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
    Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independenței, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Robert Wolff

    (College of Nursing and Public Health, South University, 9 Science Ct., Columbia, SC 29203, USA)

  • Sergiu Fendrihan

    (Non-Governmental Research Organization Biologic, 14 Schitului Str., 032044 Bucharest, Romania
    Faculty of Medicine, “Vasile Goldis” University, Revoluției Blvd. 94, 310025 Arad, Romania)

Abstract

In the COVID-19 pandemic context, numerous concerns have been raised regarding the hygienic status of certain objects we interact with on a daily basis, and especially cash money and their potential to harbor and transmit pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed different currency bills represented by British pounds (5 £, 10 £ and 20 £), Romanian lei (1 leu, 5 lei and 10 lei), U.S. dollars (1 $, 5 $ and 10 $) and Euros (5 €, 10 € and 20 €) in order to evaluate the bacterial survival rate and bacterial adherence. We used five reference microorganisms by American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA): Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Enterococcus sp. ATCC 19952, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi ATCC 6539, and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Microorganisms were selected in accordance with the criteria of prevalence, pathogenicity, opportunism, and incidence. However, Maldi-TOF analysis from samples taken from the banknotes revealed only a few of the common pathogens that are traditionally thought to be found on banknotes. Some of the most important factors for the survival of pathogenic agents on surfaces are the presence of organic matter, temperature and humidity. Our data showed that Salmonella enterica survived 72 h on every banknote tested, while L. monocytogenes tended to improve persistence in humid conditions. Survival rate is also influenced by the substrate composition, being lower for polymer-based banknotes especially for Salmonella enterica , Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus sp. The adherence of bacterial strains was lower for polymer-based banknotes British pounds and Romanian Leu, in contrast to the cotton-based U.S dollars and Euro banknotes. The risk of bacterial contamination from the banknote bills is high as indicated by both a strong survival capacity and low adherence of tested bacteria with differences between the two types of materials used for the tested banknotes.

Suggested Citation

  • Derniza Cozorici & Roxana-Alexandra Măciucă & Costel Stancu & Bianca-Maria Tihăuan & Robert Bogdan Uță & Cosmin Iulian Codrea & Răzvan Matache & Cristian-Emilian Pop & Robert Wolff & Sergiu Fendrihan, 2022. "Microbial Contamination and Survival Rate on Different Types of Banknotes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4310-:d:786659
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lucia Bonadonna & Rossella Briancesco & Anna Maria Coccia & Pierluigi Meloni & Giuseppina La Rosa & Umberto Moscato, 2021. "Microbial Air Quality in Healthcare Facilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-19, June.
    2. McClintock, Ronan & Whymark, Roy, 2016. "Bank of England notes: the switch to polymer," Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, Bank of England, vol. 56(1), pages 23-32.
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    1. Joanna Stec & Urszula Kosikowska & Mariola Mendrycka & Dagmara Stępień-Pyśniak & Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej & Dominika Bębnowska & Rafał Hrynkiewicz & Joanna Ziętara-Wysocka & Ewelina Grywalska, 2022. "Opportunistic Pathogens of Recreational Waters with Emphasis on Antimicrobial Resistance—A Possible Subject of Human Health Concern," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Kyaw Thu Aung & Wei Ching Khor & Kar Hui Ong & Wei Ling Tan & Zhi Ning Wong & Jia Quan Oh & Wai Kwan Wong & Brian Zi Yan Tan & Matthias Maiwald & Nancy Wen Sim Tee & Timothy Barkham & Tse Hsien Koh & , 2022. "Characterisation of Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 and ST1925 Associated with Human Intestinal and Extra-Intestinal Infections in Singapore," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Qionghua Chu, 2023. "Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: New Zealand Prospects while Yield Curve Inverts in Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Era," Papers 2311.06718, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2024.

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