Monolaurin - A Potential Surface Disinfectant?
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Surface Disinfectant Studies &
Monolaurin
Monolaurin: A Potential Surface Disinfectant for Bacteria
Monolaurin has been tested as a surface disinfectant – mostly in the food production space – due to the antibacterial and antimicrobial nature of lauric acid, the principal compound of which monolaurin is derived. A pair of studies explores monolaurin and it’s potential impact on bacteria on steel surfaces.
The first study testing biofilms on steel surfaces explains:
“Individual and combined antimicrobial effects of monolaurin and heat … were determined to evaluate biofilm removal from stainless steel. Adherent cells were destroyed by 50 μg/ml monolaurin combined with heating at 65°C for 5 min. Results demonstrate the usefulness of combining chemical and physical treatments to control L. monocytogenes biofilm problems in the food industry.” [Ref #1]
The second study researching monolaurin on steel surfaces goes on to state:
“Combinations of organic acids and monolaurin might be considered as sanitizers of food contact surfaces” [Ref #2]
Yet a third study demonstrated that monolaurin and lauric acid increased the effectiveness of other elements in reducing bacteria.
“For instance, the reduction of the L. monocytogenes population varied from 2 to 5 log in a shock solution containing only NaCl at pH 10.5. In the same solution with biocides, 5- to 8-log reductions were observed. In the present work, monolaurin appeared to be the most efficient biocide.” [Ref #3]
A similar study using titanium showed Monolaurin’s ability to inhibit bacteria growth and adhesion on this metallic surface.
“Lauric acid (LA), a natural saturated fatty acid, was used mainly due to its good antibacterial property. The results suggested that chitosan–lauric acid conjugate was successfully immobilized onto the surfaces of titanium substrates. In vitro tests confirmed that the cell adhesion, cell viability, intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization capacity of osteoblasts were remarkably improved when cultured onto chitosan–lauric surface functionalized titanium substrates.” [Ref #4]
These various studies demonstrate monolaurin’s potential ability to remove and inhibit certain bacteria and biofilms on metallic surfaces like steel and titanium. Additional studies are required to test if monolaurin has an effect, if any, on the reduction or elimination of additional microbes on surfaces. Learn more about monolaurin and biofilms.
References
Oh, Deog-Hwan, and Douglas L Marshall. “Destruction of Listeria Monocytogenes Biofilms on Stainless Steel Using Monolaurin and Heat.” Journal of Food Protection, vol. 58, no. 3, 1 Mar. 1995.
Oh, Deog-Hwan, and Douglas L Marshall. “Monolaurin and Acetic Acid Inactivation of Listeria Monocytogenes Attached to Stainless Steel .” Journal of Food Protection, vol. 59, no. 3, 1 Mar. 1996.
Lu Zhao, et al. “Surface functionalization of titanium substrates with chitosan–lauric acid conjugate to enhance osteoblasts functions and inhibit bacteria adhesion”. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. Volume 119, 1 July 2014, Pages 115-125
Vasseur, C, and et. al. “Combined Effects of NaCl, NaOH, and Biocides (Monolaurin or Lauric Acid) on Inactivation of Listeria Monocytogenes and Pseudomonas Spp.” Journal of Food Protection, vol. 64, no. 9, 2001.