Vaporised oils reduce MRSA by 90%

Published: 2-Apr-2007


Superbug researchers at Manchester metropolitan University are achieving spectacular results in tackling deadly hospital infections. Microbiologists have worked with industry to create a vaporiser that sprays oils into the air to kill micro-organisms.

A nine-month trial of the system at the burns unit of Wythenshawe Hospital in the city has seen airborne bugs, including MRSA, reduced by 90% and infections on the ward plummeting.

Microbiologist Dr Valerie Edwards-Jones has been researching the effects of essential oils on micro-organisms for several years. The applied research with Scent Technologies follows work on wound dressings coated with essential oils and yeast.

Scent Technologies' products are used for masking unpleasant smells in everything from hospitals to the new Queen Mary ocean liner but use dry dispersal rather than wet aerosols.

Scent Technologies had itself discovered that the oils it was using to filter fresh air were having beneficial effects on hospital infections, but the recipe has been refined by the MMU team, working with Dr Ken Dunn, a consultant at Wythenshawe.

"The results of our trial at Wythenshawe were extremely promising with bacterial counts in the air reduced by over 90%,” said Dr Edwards-Jones. "The specific MRSA readings were even more impressive, with the product killing the superbug and resulting in no MRSA outbreaks.”

As a double control, the natural essence blend was removed from the machines for the final two months. During this time, MRSA levels in the air increased, and an MRSA outbreak occurred on the ward.

Scent Technologies began the development work in 2004, in collaboration with Micap and MMU, and the natural product is subject to a jointly filed patent.

Dr Edwards-Jones added: "This product needs to be in the wards now, playing a vital part in the combat of superbug infections." She said it was particularly useful on burns units where direct application of oils onto skin was more problematic.

The scientists are now understood to be working on a series of potentially more effective blends.

See more

You may also like

Analysis

The case for a facility monitoring system

Read more
In regulated manufacturing, monitoring environmental conditions and critical equipment is essential to protect product quality, yield, and patient safety. Facilities often use a Facility Monitoring System (FMS) to track factors like airborne particles, temperature, and humidity. Beyond regulatory compliance, FMS delivers real business value through reduced waste, improved yield, higher quality, and greater profitability

Trending Articles

  1. AdvanceTEC drives cleanroom innovation & growth with acquisition by Equans Leveraging scale, global reach, technology, prefabrication & modularisation
  2. Medicinal cannabis production with GMP-compliant cleanroom solutions Controlled environments are supporting quality, safety and regulatory compliance in cannabis manufacturing
  3. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    President Trump signs order for “regulatory relief” for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers The US President has signed an executive order to direct the FDA to review current regulatory procedures, such as by reducing inspection frequency
  4. Pharmaceutical carbon reduction expert EECO2 achieves B Corp status A relatively unique certification in the cleanroom design industry, EECO2 has been determined to meet the necessary high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability for B Corporation status
  5. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    Integrating “high-voltage leak detection” into automated visual inspection Leoni Ransmann and Jan Sende from Syntegon Technology talk about visual inspection of product containers like ampoules, which has been the industry standard for decades, and compare it to modern methods being emphasised in documents like the new EU GMP Annex 1

Upcoming event

Cleanzone Middle East

September 18-19 2025 | Conference | Conrad Dubai, United Arab Emirates See all

You may also like

Analysis

The case for a facility monitoring system

In regulated manufacturing, monitoring environmental conditions and critical equipment is essential to protect product quality, yield, and patient safety. Facilities often use a Facility Monitoring System (FMS) to track factors like airborne particles, temperature, and humidity. Beyond regulatory compliance, FMS delivers real business value through reduced waste, improved yield, higher quality, and greater profitability
Pharmaceutical

300 hours of performance with APSPG-Max

NewAge Industries, Inc., parent company of the AdvantaPure™ line of tubing, hose and quality accessories for the high-purity market, announces the launch of its’ newest line of tubing, AdvantaSil APSPG-Max silicone pump tubing
Design & Build

Kemtile to showcase single source flooring solutions at PPMA 2025

Kemtile is using PPMA 2025 to engage prospective customers on the benefits of coming to an internationally-backed industrial flooring and drainage business with a single source approach to flooring projects across the process and packaging industry
Pharmaceutical

Steriline at CPHI 2025

Flexibility, robotics and customisation for a zero loss approach
Design & Build

AdvanceTEC drives cleanroom innovation & growth with acquisition by Equans

Leveraging scale, global reach, technology, prefabrication & modularisation
Pharmaceutical

Steriline at Pharma Pro&Pack Expo 2025

With its own branch already established in India, Steriline confirms the importance of the Indian and of Asian markets in general for its growth and development
Design & Build

Preserve and protect your cleanroom with a Guardtech Group Cleanroom Service Plan

Suffolk-based construction experts offering elite packages to ensure all service, maintenance and decontamination needs are taken care of
Subscribe now