DOI:

10.37988/1811-153X_2026_1_6

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans in a sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide environment: response surface analysis

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Authors

  • S.N. Kerasov 1, PhD student of the Prosthodontics and digital technologies Department
    ORCID: 0009-0004-3144-2781
  • S.D. Arutyunov 1, Doctor of Science in Medicine, full professor of the Prosthodontics and digital technologies Department
    ORCID: 0000-0001-6512-8724
  • M.S. Galstyan 1, assistant at the Prosthodontics and digital technologies Department
    ORCID: 0000-0002-3372-5775
  • P.Yu. Kolesnikov 1, junior researcher at the Molecular biology research Laboratory of the Medico-dental research Institute
    ORCID: 0000-0003-2947-726X
  • L.G. Kirakosyan 1, PhD in Medical Sciences, assistant professor of the Prosthodontics and digital technologies Department
    ORCID: 0000-0001-5380-1475
  • Y.N. Kharakh 1, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Prosthodontics and digital technologies Department
    ORCID: 0000-0001-7181-8211
  • K.G. Karakov 2, Doctor of Science in Medicine, full professor of the Therapeutic dentistry Department
    ORCID: 0000-0001-9012-4784
  • D.I. Grachev 1, PhD in Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Prosthodontics and digital technologies Department
    ORCID: 0000-0002-5758-7485
  • 1 Russian University of Medicine, 127006, Moscow, Russia
  • 2 Stavropol State Medical University, 355017, Stavropol, Russia

Abstract

Infection control in dentistry requires effective methods for instrument processing. Traditional methods (autoclaving, chemical disinfection) have limitations: metal corrosion, prolonged exposure time, and toxicity. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is considered as an alternative; however, systematic data on comparative susceptibility of different pathogens to gas-dynamic treatment are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factor-dependent and comparative efficacy of gas-dynamic inactivation of S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans in subcritical and supercritical carbon dioxide.
Materials and methods.
Reference strains S. aureus ATCC 25923, E. coli ATCC 25922, and C. albicans ATCC 10231 were used. Central composite design with three factors was applied: temperature 25—50°C, pressure 10—100 atm, and exposure time 10—60 minutes. The experimental matrix included 20 points. Titanium disks were contaminated with standardized microbial suspensions. Efficacy was assessed by log-reduction values. Regression models were constructed using response surface methodology with stepwise factor selection.
Results.
Gas-dynamic treatment provided statistically significant inactivation of all microorganisms (p<0,001). Median log reduction values were: E. coli — 2,30 log10, C. albicans — 1,57 log10, S. aureus — 1,25 log10. Pressure was the only significant predictor: for S. aureus, a nonlinear relationship with quadratic effect was revealed (p = 0,029); for E. coli, a linear trend (p = 0,092); for C. albicans, no relationship was detected. Temperature and exposure time had no effect.
Conclusions.
Significant differences in microbial susceptibility to gas-dynamic treatment were identified: gram-negative bacteria are most susceptible, with pressure being the key technological parameter. The method shows potential for application in dentistry but requires validation under conditions closer to clinical practice.

Key words:

carbon dioxide, dental instruments, disinfection, corrosion, microbial viability

For Citation

[1]
Kerasov S.N., Arutyunov S.D., Galstyan M.S., Kolesnikov P.Yu., Kirakosyan L.G., Kharakh Y.N., Karakov K.G., Grachev D.I. Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans in a sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide environment: response surface analysis. Clinical Dentistry (Russia).  2026; 29 (1): 6—13. DOI: 10.37988/1811-153X_2026_1_6

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Received

November 12, 2025

Accepted

February 22, 2026

Published on

March 31, 2026