Natural organic matter photocatalytic disinfectant for surface disinfection
An environmentally friendly surface disinfectant leveraging natural organic matter (NOM) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light exposure. This technology offers a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical disinfectants for household and commercial applications, using natural compounds activated by sunlight or commercial lamps.
Overview
This research proposes a novel, environmentally friendly disinfection technology that harnesses natural organic matter (NOM) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light irradiation. By extracting and concentrating the most photoactive fractions of NOM, the technology creates a natural disinfectant capable of inactivating common viruses and bacteria on surfaces. The approach uses readily available natural substances, such as green tea extract and grapefruit seed extract, activated by visible light wavelengths (380–700 nm) from either natural sunlight or commercial lamps.
The value proposition centers on replacing or supplementing conventional chemical disinfectants with a sustainable, naturally derived alternative. Potential applications include household surface cleaning, commercial disinfection, and public health settings where reducing chemical residues and environmental impact is a priority. The technology aligns with growing consumer and regulatory demand for green disinfection solutions.
Technical specifications
Core mechanism:
- Photosensitization of NOM and polyphenol-rich natural extracts to produce ROS, including superoxide radicals (O2•−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radicals (•OH)
- Activation via light in the 380–700 nm wavelength range, compatible with both natural sunlight and commercial visible-light lamps
Key capabilities:
- Proprietary extraction and concentration protocol for isolating the most active NOM fractions
- High-throughput assays for measuring ROS generation, including Amplex Red for O2•− and H2O2, and disodium terephthalate for •OH
- Evaluation of disinfection efficacy against common pathogens such as coronavirus, adenovirus, and various bacteria
Candidate natural substances:
- Green tea extract
- Grapefruit seed extract
- NOM sourced from Suwannee River
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at an early research and development stage (TRL 2–3). The laboratory has demonstrated expertise in extracting the most photoactive NOM fractions and has developed high-throughput ROS measurement assays. The next phase of validation involves systematically testing multiple natural organic substances under varying light intensities to identify optimal conditions for ROS generation, followed by efficacy testing against target viruses and bacteria. Further development will be needed to scale the extraction protocol, optimize formulation stability, and validate performance under real-world conditions before commercial readiness.
About University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign is a flagship public research university with large‑scale research capacity and a broad academic portfolio. An on‑campus Research Park co‑locates corporate R&D teams and startups with faculty, while the National Center for Supercomputing Applications provides advanced computing and data capabilities for collaboration. Integration with a regional health system and an engineering‑based college of medicine enables clinical translation, and a long‑standing extension network links campus innovation to partners statewide. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startups, complemented by incubators and prototyping in the Research Park.
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