Metagenomic Analysis of Regularly Microwave-Treated and Untreated Domestic Kitchen Sponges.

ABSTRACT: Kitchen sponges massively absorb and spread microorganisms, leading to contamination of kitchen appliances, surfaces, and food. Microwaving as an effective and widespread technique can rapidly reduce the microbial load of kitchen sponges. However, long-term effects of such treatments are largely unknown. Notably, it has been speculated that regularly applied domestic cleaning and disinfection may select for microbial communities with a higher pathogenic potential and/or malodorous properties. In this study, we distributed newly purchased polyurethane kitchen sponges to 20 participants, with the instruction to use them under normal household conditions for four weeks. Ten of the participants sanitized their sponges regularly by a standardized microwaving protocol, while the remaining ten sp

SUBMITTER: Jacksch S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7284620 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature