Kismet Clean cruise study shows 'remarkable' microbial reduction, lasting protection

According to Kismet, the close proximity of passengers and crew and numerous high-touch surfaces in common areas make cruise ships an ideal environment for the rapid spread of disease-causing pathogens. Highly stable and infectious virus particles, such as norovirus, are particularly problematic.

It is difficult to keep surfaces disinfected with current methods that leave hours between surface cleanings. 

Patented technology

Developed during the pandemic, Kismet’s patented technology produces a flood (at the microscale) of hydrogen peroxide — a highly effective and nontoxic disinfectant — in the presence of bacteria, viruses (including norovirus) and fungi.

Kismet Clean, formulated to maintain cruise ship surfaces, features a spray-on film and a durable coating, both incorporating silver-mediated cerium oxide technology.

Cerium oxide, considered safe (inert) in the US and EU, is already broadly used in many products. Orlando, Florida-based Kismet Technologies came up with a way to tweak cerium oxide using a tiny amount of silver so instead of just getting a trickle of hydrogen peroxide when it comes into contact with a virus or bacteria, it floods it.

Hydrogen peroxide is produced only in the presence of pathogens. Kismet Clean shuts off when the pathogen has been defeated and lasts for weeks (in film spray form) or months (as a coating).

Cruise ship methodology

During the cruise ship study, Kismet coatings were applied to various high-touch surfaces, including stateroom bathrooms, a medical office, public bathrooms and water fountains. While the cruise ship was aware of the study, housekeeping crew were not informed where the coating was applied, so normal cleaning protocol still occurred. 

Aerobic bacterial counts were monitored throughout the study, including treated surfaces and control surfaces for comparison. The surfaces were swabbed with a sterile cotton swab moistened with phosphate-buffered saline. The swab was returned to the saline and later plated out onto MC-Media Pads. Pads were incubated for 48 hours and colony-forming units (CFU/pad) counts enumerated.

Dramatic bioburden reduction

Treated surfaces reduced microbial presence by over 99%. CFU counts on bathroom floors dropped from 5,000 CFU/pad to just 6 CFU, and on toilet seats from 2,140 CFU/pad to 16 CFU.

Coatings remained active for weeks to months post-application, providing a self-disinfecting mechanism to ensure ongoing protection against pathogens.

'We recognize the unique challenges the cruise industry faces with confined quarters, voluminous high-touch surfaces and a diverse passenger demographic that includes an elderly population,' said Shari Costantini, president and co-founder, Kismet Technologies.

'These factors underscore the critical importance of effective cleaning and disinfecting measures,' she continued. 'Our innovative technology provides the opportunity for continuous surface protection, thereby significantly reducing the spread of infectious diseases, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for passengers and crew alike.'

Kismet Technologies produced a downloadable white paper with more details on its cruise ship study.