Ferrate (VI) salts have been proposed for use in sterilizing water (perhaps also in sterilizing air). The iron in ferrate (VI) salts is in its highest oxidation state (VI), and these salts are extremely strong oxidants. In laboratory experiments, it was shown that treatment of DNA solutions with micromolar concentrations of potassium ferrate (VI) irreversibly inhibits further DNA polymerization and polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) synthesis. Such treatment does not produce any toxic wastes; instead, what remains after treatment are iron ions, which can be recycled and which, in some applications, are useful as nutrients.
According to the proposal, ferrate (VI) derivatives fixed on various supports and carriers would be used to oxidize waterborne or airborne protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules. Examples of suitable ferrate (VI) derivatives could include calcium ferrate, and barium ferrate, and inorganic polymers that carry ferrate (VI) ions. Further research is planned in order to develop materials, equipment, and procedures to implement these concepts.
This work was done by Alexandre Tsapin, Kenneth Nealson, and Michael Goldfeld of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Bio-Medical category.
NPO-20881
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Treatment with Ferrates Eliminates DNA and Proteins
(reference NPO-20881) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document discusses the innovative use of ferrate (VI) salts for sterilizing water and potentially air, highlighting their application in eliminating microbiological contamination, including DNA and proteins. Ferrate (VI) salts, which contain iron in its highest oxidation state (VI), are recognized as extremely strong oxidants. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that even micromolar concentrations of potassium ferrate (VI) can irreversibly inhibit DNA polymerization and the polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) synthesis, making them effective in sterilization processes.
One of the significant advantages of using ferrate (VI) salts is that they do not produce toxic waste. After treatment, the byproducts are iron ions, which can be recycled and utilized as nutrients in various applications. This characteristic makes ferrate (VI) a promising candidate for environmental applications, particularly in water treatment.
The document outlines a proposal for using ferrate (VI) derivatives fixed on various supports and carriers to oxidize waterborne or airborne proteins and DNA molecules. Examples of suitable ferrate (VI) derivatives include calcium ferrate and barium ferrate, as well as inorganic polymers that can carry ferrate (VI) ions. The research team, consisting of Alexandre Tsapin, Kenneth Nealson, and Michael Goldfeld from Caltech, is planning further studies to develop materials, equipment, and procedures to implement these concepts effectively.
The work is conducted under the auspices of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasizing the collaboration between scientific research and practical applications in environmental safety. The document also includes a disclaimer stating that references to specific commercial products or processes do not imply endorsement by the United States Government or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
In summary, the document presents a significant advancement in the field of sterilization and environmental safety through the use of ferrate (VI) salts. The potential for these salts to eliminate harmful biological contaminants without generating toxic waste positions them as a valuable tool for improving water and air quality, with ongoing research aimed at optimizing their application in real-world scenarios.
