RESUMEN
Viruses are transmissible via their interaction with contact surfaces of food containers or tools. This study evaluated the recoveries of MS2 coliphage, a virus surrogate, from polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and glass (borosilicate and soda lime), as influenced by the surface chemistry and topography. MS2 (5-6 logs) in PBS with 1% TSB was inoculated onto each of 9 different surfaces, 24-h cold-incubated, and recovery was quantified by infectivity. The order of MS2 recovery efficiency from smooth surfaces was PPâ¯>â¯PEâ¯≥â¯soda lime glass, which classified into 3 ANOVA groups, pâ¯=â¯0.05. The MS2 recovery ratios of smooth vs. rough surfaces were 1.4-1.5. Atomic force microscopy revealed 21-nm diam pinholes (<28-nm of MS2 size) in the borosilicate glass. The lowest and highest MS2 recoveries among the 9 surfaces were demonstrated by the hole-bearing borosilicate glass (34⯱â¯8%) and smooth PP (69⯱â¯14%) respectively. Generally greater MS2 recovery was obtained from smooth PP and PE surfaces compared to glass, but topographic alterations (pinholes or increased roughness) decreased recovery possibly by trapping the viruses.