Silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent Novaron

Novaron is a silver-supported antimicrobial agent in an inorganic ion exchanger, which our company uniquely developed. Novaron has an antimicrobial effect against a broad spectrum of microbes. It has uniform fine particles, low moisture absorption, and superior heat resistance. Novaron can be easily mixed into textiles, films, molded plastic products. It can also be dispersed easily in paints.
In addition, it has high physical and chemical stability. It has superior coloration and discoloration resistance during processing or use.
It is highly safe and has been approved by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

(1)Representative grades of Novaron and its characteristics

	Appearance	Average particle diameter(µm)	Specific gravity	Bulk specific gravity
AG 300	White powder	0.9	3.0	0.20-0.30
AG 1100	White powder	0.9	3.0	0.20-0.30
AGC 303	White powder	1.0	2.9	0.20-0.30
AGZ 020	White powder	0.5	5.0	0.25-0.35
AGZ 330	White powder	1.3	4.2	0.25-0.35
AGT 330	White powder	0.4	4.4	0.50-0.60

(2)Representative grades of Novaron and its application fields

Applications		AG300	AG1100	AGC303	AGZ020	AGZ330	AGT330
Molded plastic products	Opaque (PP, PE, ABS, PS, PU, nylon, PBT, and POM)				ºC	◎
	Transparent (PP, PE, AS, PS, PMMA, PET, and PC)	ºC	◎
	Molded film products	ºC	◎	ºC		ºC
	PVC	ºC		ºC			◎
Textiles	PET and nylon	◎	ºC	ºC
Textiles	PP and PE	ºC	ºC	◎		ºC
Coating process	Wood, leather, and paper	◎	ºC	ºC		ºC
	(Natural) textiles and non-woven fabrics	◎	ºC	ºC
	Ceramics and enamel	ºC	◎
Paints	Transparent	◎	ºC	ºC
Paints	Opaque	ºC	ºC	ºC		ºC

For the raw materials, the antimicrobial properties, durability, and discoloration can differ by manufacturer and grade.

Refer to technical documents for the appropriate grade for representative properties and characteristics of Novaron.

(3)Antimicrobial effect of Novaron

The antimicrobial effects of Novaron have been confirmed against a broad spectrum of microbes.
The table on the right shows the minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of Novaron for various microbes. MIC shows the minimal concentration of antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth and proliferation of microbes. A lower MIC value indicates a higher antimicrobial effect against that microbe.

Tested microbes	Characteristics	AG300	AG1100	AGZ330
Escherichia coli	Bacteria which indicate contamination of food or drinking water	125	62.5	125
Escherichia coli O157H7	Bacteria produce verotoxin and cause food poisoning.	200	62.5	200
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	Pathogenic bacteria which cause decomposition of seafood	125	125	250
Salmonella	Pathogenic bacteria of abdominal typhus, paratyphoid, and food poisoning	250	62.5	250
Staphylococcus aureus	Pathogenic bacteria of suppuration, sepsis, and food poisoning	250	62.5	250
MRSA	Pathogenic bacteria of nosocomial infection	250	125	250
Bacillus subtilis	Major bacteria causing decomposition of milk and meats	250	125	250
Candida albicans	Pathogenic yeast of candidaisis	500	125	250
Saccharomyces cerevisiae	Yeast used in beer factories	500	125	250
Cladosporium	Typical mold which multiply in a normal living environment	500	250	500
Aspergillus (Aspergillus niger)	Typical mold which multiply in a normal living environment	1000	125	500

(4)Safety of Novaron

The high safety of Novaron has been confirmed in various clinical trials. In addition, it has been approved by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It can be used safely on food packaging.

Results of safety tests for Novaron

Tested items	Test conditions	AG300	AG1100	AGZ330	Sodium chloride NaCl
Acute oral toxicity LD50	OECD rats	>5,000mg/kg	>5,000mg/kg	>5,000mg/kg	3,000mg/kg
Mutagenicity	Guidelines of safety and health of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative
Primary skin irritation	OECD rabbits	No irritation observed	No irritation observed	No irritation observed	No irritation observed
Skin sensitization	OECD guinea pigs	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative
Cytotoxicity IC50	Japanese pharmacopeia, 13th edition	69~88µg/ml	22~25µg/ml	27~40µg/ml	-

(5)Drug resistance test of Novaron

When a certain type of drug is used repeatedly, drug resistant bacteria can emerge. The appearance of MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is well known after repeated use of methicillin antibiotics. In the drug resistance tests, Novaron has been confirmed to possess properties that make the emergence of resistant bacteria more difficult.

(6)Heat resistance of Novaron

The antimicrobial effect of Novaron does not change with heating of up to 800oC.

(7)Applications of Novaron

Novaron has the following applications.

Textiles	Clothing (such as underwear, socks, dress shirts, blouses, lab coats, uniforms, work clothes), bedding (such as sheets and comforters), masks, gloves, swimsuits, hats, handkerchief, towels, dish towels, curtains, and carpets
Everyday items	Kitchenware (such as sink-corner trash cans, sponges, brushes, strainer, and cutting boards), toiletries (such as combs, hair brushes, razor blade handles, cups, and toothbrushes), items for bathrooms (such as wash basins, bathtubs, and shower handles), hangers, umbrellas, raincoats, trash cans, and slippers
Leather	Shoes, inner lining of shoes, gloves, belts, wristwatch bands, bags, chairs, and leather straps
Water treatment	Tanks, pipes, tubes, cleaning towers, and piping for vending machines
Home electrical appliances	Air conditioner filters, ventilation fans, air purifiers, humidifiers, comforter dryers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, refrigerators, rice cookers, water heaters, water purifiers, coffee makers, phones (mobile phones), FAX machines, PCs, televisions, videos, radio-cassette players, video cameras, cassette tapes, and video tapes
Sporting goods	Equipment, sportswear, gloves, shoes (such as for golf, ski, snowboard, and tennis), windbreakers, and baseball gloves
Toys	Dolls, stuffed animals, paper mache, origami, toy blocks, puzzles, and video game consoles
Medical and hygiene products	Beds, plaster casts, surgical gowns, and bandages
Cosmetics	Cosmetics container and powder puffs
Building materials	Wallpaper, underlayment for tatami floors, bathroom sink, kitchen counters, and tiles
Products for civil engineering	Paints, sealants, mortar, concrete, sand pits, and sand for golf course

(8)Examples of applications of Novaron

1.Applications in textiles

Fiber can be spun even for fine fibers
The average particle diameter of Novaron is approximately 1 mm. These fine particles have good uniformity. Novaron is made from a material that does not easily absorb moisture. It is an inorganic antimicrobial agent suitable for mixing into the processing of fine fibers.

Laundering durability test

2>		No laundering	Laundered 10 times
Bacterial count at the commencement of antimicrobial test		1.9×10⁴
Bacterial count 18 hours after antimicrobial tests commenced	Standard unprocessed white cloth	2.4×10⁷	-
	Polyester fabric with 0.5% Novaron AG300 added	<20	<20
	Polyester fabric with 0.5% silver glass added	<20	1.7×10⁷

Laundering durability test: JIS L-0217-103 method
Antimicrobial testing method: JIS L-1902-1998
Tested bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus

Suitable for coating process
Novaron can be coated on materials into which Novaron cannot be mixed such as wood, leather, and natural fibers.

Antimicrobial test of non-woven fabric coated with Novaron

Bacterial count at the commencement of antimicrobial test		2.1×10⁴
Bacterial count 18 hours after antimicrobial tests commenced	Standard unprocessed white cloth	2.5×10⁷
	Non-woven fabric with no Novaron	1.8×10⁷
	Non-woven fabric coated with Novaron	<20

Processing method: Acrylic binders are used on the non-woven fabrics, and 0.5 g/m2 of Novaron AG300 is use to coat the fabric.
Antimicrobial testing method: JIS L-1902-1998
Tested bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus

2.Applications to molded products

Antimicrobial ability can be easily attained with Novaron
Novaron is made from uniform fine particles and is physically and chemically stable. Therefore, moldability and properties of resin are retained. It can be added by many different methods such as direct addition to resin and masterbatch process.

Antimicrobial effect of PE resin with Novaron

Moldable even as thin film
Since Novaron is made of uniform fine particles, its thin film can be molded smoothly.

Antimicrobial test of PE film (10 mm) with Novaron

		E. coli	S. aureus
Bacterial count at the commencement of antimicrobial test		2.7×10⁵	3.1×10⁵
Bacterial count 18 hours after antimicrobial tests commenced	Film adhesion method *	1.5×10⁷	1.2×10⁶
	Without Novaron	1.4×10⁷	9.5×10⁵
	0.2% of Novaron AG110 added	<20	<20

Processing method: Films are molded by mixing Novaron into LDPE resin.
Antimicrobial testing method: Film adhesion method (Society of Industrial technology for Antimicrobial Articles)
*Control sample: polyethylene film was used.

Superior weather resistance
Novaron is a physically and chemically stable material. Therefore, a molded product to which Novaron is added retains its weather resistance.

Suitable for transparent resins
The Novaron AG series is made of fine particles and has a refractive index close to many transparent resins. Therefore, resins made from the Novaron AG series maintain their transparency.

(9)Novaron and Society of Industrial technology for Antimicrobial Articles

The objectives of the Society of Industrial technology for Antimicrobial Articles are: (1) the establishment of standardized guidelines on performance and safety of antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial products; and (2) maintenance and dissemination of better quality and safer products. Novaron is a product that was designed based on the independent standards of this society, and Novaron has obtained the self-signed certification (SIAA symbol) of this society.


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