Inhibitory Effect of Ink on Microbial Activity

Abstract

Paper is a relatively brittle material that is vulnerable to microbial and fungal development. Thus, it is crucial to preserve and store them. In this context, antibacterial properties of methanol base ink have received much attention. In the present literature, an effort has been made to shed light on the inhibitory effect of ink on specific bacteria that are common on paper's cellulose. E. coli, pseudomonas, staphylococcus, Providentia stuartii, Serratia odorifera, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas antimicrobic, and Aspergillus niger were tested for antibiotic activity. Different concentrations of the ink dilutions were made, tested against various bacterial strains, and the amount of inhibition was calculated. The highest zone of inhibition against Providentia stuartii was demonstrated by blue and black gel pen inks. Additionally, Serratia odorifera and Providentia stuartii demonstrated the highest zone of inhibition when tested with blue ballpoint pen ink. Black ballpoint pen ink and red ballpoint pen ink both displayed the highest zones of inhibition for Pseudomonas antimicrobic and Bacillus megaterium, respectively. It has been noted that Pseudomonas exhibits the greatest ink degradation when samples are diluted by 10%, while staphylococcus and Pseudomonas shows the highest ink deterioration in samples that have been diluted by 30%, whereas in samples that have been diluted by 40%, nearly all bacteria exhibit nearly equal ink degradation and in 50% dilution of the sample, and only staphylococcus displays the mean positions deterioration. Therefore, it is crucial to utilise inks that show null or less during the creation of any crucial documents, sensitivity to microorganisms.