G-Flake Graphene Research Group operating in Łukasiewicz – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics actively engages in activities promoting research results as part of initiatives related to the social responsibility of science. In today’s entry we will present a DIY experiment designed and performed by Aleksandra Izabela Banasiak. You can repeat similar experiment after purchasing your own G-Flake®.
There is the one situation that each of us has encountered, and that is – mold appearing on old food.
Molds are filamentous fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments. Scientific literature repeatedly indicates that graphene and derivatives have properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. We decided to test this.
We placed the bread (exactly like you eaten for breakfast) in 3 boxes and added: tap water (1) and graphene oxide suspension in two concentrations (2,3). We closed the boxes and left them in a warm place.
On the 3rd day, we did not notice any visual changes, but there was a very unpleasant odor from the box (1) – from boxes with graphene oxide suspension (2,3) we could still smell only the characteristic odor of bread. On the 5th day, a characteristic black molds were noted in the box with tap water (1), and a greenish-gray deposit in the box (2). On the 7th day, on the bread with the addition of graphene oxide suspensions was also noted the presence of Rhizopus stolonifer (2)(3), but the process of its growth occurs incomparably slower than in the container with tap water.
What is the conclusion? Graphene oxide actually inhibits mold growth.
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