Comparative Study on Bactericidal Properties of Storage Vessels for Potable Water

Abstract

Antimicrobial property of metals has been noted since the time of Hippocrates (400 BC). According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, practices such as storing Ganges water in brass or copper vessels were intended to maintain the sanitary quality of water, which points to the bactericidal activity of copper. The present study examines the antibacterial properties of different storage vessels (Copper, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Glass, Plastic). Potable water taken in these vessels was inoculated with a known volume of common pathogens and stored. Bactericidal actions of storage vessels were recorded at regular intervals. A considerable reduction in viable count was observed in storage vessels made of copper and bronze. This emphasisesthe need for research into the antibacterial properties of copper and bronze vessels, which can be utilised in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Introduction

India has a rich metallurgical heritage dating back to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley, with extensive use of metals such as copper, bronze, gold, and silver in daily life, medicine (Ayurveda), and cultural practices. Traditional metals like copper and bronze are valued for their health benefits, especially their antimicrobial properties, while modern materials like stainless steel and plastic are widely used due to durability and convenience, though plastics pose environmental and health risks.

The study investigates how different vessels (copper, bronze, plastic, stainless steel, and glass) affect bacterial survival in stored water. Using controlled experiments with bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus, results showed that copper and bronze have strong antimicrobial effects, significantly reducing or eliminating bacteria within 48–72 hours. In contrast, plastic showed the highest bacterial growth, while stainless steel and glass had little to no antimicrobial action.

Conclusion

The present study provides a strong scientific basis for the antimicrobial superiority of traditional metallurgical vessels over modern storage materials. The results of comparative analysis of survival kinetics reveal that copper-based alloys, specifically bronze and copper, function as active antimicrobial systems rather than passive containers made of steel or glass or plastic.Traditional vessels demonstrated significant bactericidal activity, with bronze exhibiting particularly potent antimicrobial effects. Plastic and stainless-steel surfaces harboured high bacterial loads throughout the 72-hour observation period, which might be due to the chemical inertness of synthetic polymers and the lack of bioactive ion release in steel. This research suggests that the adoption of traditional copper and bronze vessels could serve as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective intervention for water sanitation. By utilising the intrinsic oligodynamic properties of these alloys, significant reductions in waterborne pathogen transmission can be achieved without needing chemical additives. Future investigations should be done toelucidate the specific molecular mechanisms and oxidative stress pathways induced by bronze alloys. Furthermore, there is significant potential for translating this traditional knowledge into contemporary applications within the food processing, pharmaceutical packaging, and clinical surface engineering sectors to combat the rising challenge of surface-mediated microbial transmission.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Elizabeth P Thomas, Nisy S, Adithya J B, Angelin Rony, Anupama K P, Arathi T S, Archana C S, Asiya P A. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.