BASALT TUFA AS A BACTERICIDE FILLER FOR SOME PACKAGING MATERIALS

Abstract

A dependence of the catalytic and antibacterial activity of some basalt tufa samples on their qualitative and quantitative composition, preliminary thermal and/or chemical treatment conditions were investigated. As seen from the chemical X-ray phase and atom adsorption analyses, the tufa is a highly siliceous (Si/Al mass ratio is about 4.7÷5.9) zeolite-like mineral with comparatively high content of iron (68÷74 g/kg), some bioelements (Мg, Ca, К, Na) and microelements (Ti, Mn, Zn, Сu). The positive (≡Si+)s and negative (≡SiО-)s surface active centers were determined by IR spectroscopy. These points ensure high catalytic and bactericide activity of the material. The influence of preliminary thermal and chemical treatment of basalt
tufa on its bactericide activity against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was also investigated. Possible utilization of natural basalt tufa as an antibacterial filler for the packaging materials is discussed.