Cufitec Virus and Bacteria Control Technologies

Introducing Cufitec®

Cufitec® is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial technology that utilizes nanoparticles of a monovalent copper compound.
It can be processed for use in a variety of materials, and used in wide range of applications.

The need for Cufitec®

We are surrounded by countless viruses and bacteria.
While some of these microorganisms are beneficial, others are threats to humans, plants, and animals, and we need to take steps to protect ourselves from them.
NBC Meshtec developed the technology called Cufitec® in order to provide clean, safe, and comfortable environments to our customers, and to protect them against the invisible threats of viruses and bacteria.

Objectives of Cufitec®

1
Be effective against
a wide range
of microorganisms.(viruses and bacteria)
2
Be fast-acting.(reduce viruses
and bacteria quickly)
3
Be strongly effective.(prevent viruses
and bacteria
from spreading)

This technology was developed in order to accomplish all three of the following objectives.

Cufitec® anti-viral and anti-bacterial mechanism

Anti-viral and anti-bacterial mechanism

  • When nanoparticles of a monovalent copper compound collide with viruses or bacteria, they elute monovalent copper ions into the ambient moisture.

  • Monovalent copper ions react with oxygen to produce reactive oxygen.

  • The power of copper ions and reactive oxygen act together reduce viruses and bacteria.

Reasons for using a monovalent copper compound

The monovalent copper ions that are eluted from the monovalent copper compound are oxidized more readily than bivalent copper ions, and as a result produce reactive oxygen.
Because one property of reactive oxygen is that it reduces the activity of microorganisms, it provides high anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects.

Differences between the monovalent copper compound and silver

Anti-bacterial agents that use silver are described as producing anti-bacterial effects through the action of silver ions on bacteria. While copper ions have the same anti-bacterial effects, the largest difference between Cufitec® and silver-based anti-bacterial agents is that Cufitec® also fights viruses and bacteria by generating reactive oxygen.
Unlike silver, copper is also a mineral that is needed by the human body, and is recognized as a nutritional component in functional nutritional foods.

Effects of Cufitec® in research results

Patented technology Patent No. JP5746406

Virus elimination

Test method:
A liquid dispersion of monovalent copper compound and a virus suspension (enveloped virus) were mixed, and the plaque assay method was used to evaluate the viral titer at each contact time.
* Test by NBC Meshtec

●Effects on enveloped viruses

Effects on enveloped viruses

Results

●Viruses were reduced by 99.99% within 60 minutes.

●Tests were conducted using following viruses and confirmed the anti-viral effects.
Enveloped virus (3 types, 20 strains)
Non-enveloped virus (2 types, 2 strains)

1
Be effective against
a wide range
of microorganisms.(viruses and bacteria)
2
Be fast-acting.(reduce viruses
and bacteria quickly)
3
Be strongly effective.(prevent Bacterias
and bacteria
from spreading)

Bacteria elimination

Test method:
A liquid dispersion of monovalent copper compound and a suspension of gram-negative bacteria were mixed, and the plate colony count method was used to evaluate the number of bacteria at each contact time.
* Test by NBC Meshtec

●Effects on gram-negative bacteria

Effects on gram-negative bacteria

Results

●Bacterias were reduced by 99.99% within 60 minutes.

●Tests were conducted using following bacteria and confirmed the anti-bacterial effects.
Gram-positive bacteria (4 types),
gram-negative bacteria (7 types)

Safety of Cufitec®

NBC Meshtec has confirmed the safety of Cufitec® through a wide range of testing so that customers can feel secure in using our products.

Test items Test results Testing institution
Acute oral toxicity test Minimum lethal dose (LD50 value) > 2,000 mg/kg Food and Drug Safety Center Hatano Research Institute
Ocular irritation test No irritation of eye tissue (cornea, iris, conjunctiva) Food and Drug Safety Center Hatano Research Institute
Primary skin irritation test No irritation reaction was found. Food and Drug Safety Center Hatano Research Institute
Skin sensitization test Skin sensitization: Negative Food and Drug Safety Center Hatano Research Institute
Mutagenicity test Genotoxicity: Negative Food and Drug Safety Center Hatano Research Institute
Cytotoxicity test Score: 2 (positive = 3 or higher) using a non-woven fabric with Cufitec® applied Nelson Laboratories,LLC

Using Cufitec® in your company’s products

Cufitec® products

Product Overview