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To investigate the antibacterial activity of the traditional bronze alloy Yugi, the cultures of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157, Enterobacter sakazakii, and Bacillus cereus were exposed to the metal coupons of bronze, copper, tin, and stainless steel, and the sterilizing activities were analyzed. Antibacterial efficacy of copper coupon toward S. Typhimurium, E. coli, and E. sakazakii were the highest among them and those were followed by bronze, tin, and then stainless steel in the activity order. However, there was little sterilizing activity on Gram-positive B.cereus. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of cupric ion were 25 ppm for S. Typhimurium, E. coli, and E. sakazakii, and 50 ppm for B. cereus. Yugi bronze alloy showed more rigidity and practicality in comparison with copper, and has been used in Korea. Therefore, the bronze alloy may be more effective to reduce the cross-contamination of S. Typhimurium, E. coli, and E. sakazakii than stainless steel in food processing surface.
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