At the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel, researchers have developed a new coating for medical implants that prevents the formation of bacterial biofilms on metal surfaces. Biofilms are particularly difficult to get rid of and are one of the main reasons for ortho implant revision surgeries. The challenge has been to create coatings that are sourced from natural materials that are not immuno-rejected, yet prevent bacteria from making home on them. The technology may end up being certainly used for implants, as well as surgical instruments, and all kinds of clinical machines that make contact with our precious bodily fluids.
Some details from the study abstract in Advanced Materials Interfaces:
Herein, algal-secreted polysaccharide (Ps) biomaterial patches and metal complex films (MCF) are examined for their anti-Acinetobacter baumannii and anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm properties. Ps moderately reduces biofilm formation; the Cu-MCF coating has significant anti-biofim activity while Zn-MCF had no effect. A mechanistic examination of these effects shows a two-fold greater coverage of the anti-adhesive surface of Cu-MCF than that of the control due to the induction of swarming motility, thus impeding bacterial transformation to the irreversibly attached state. Chemical compositions of the coatings and the interactions between coating components are examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. Cu-MCF surface morphology comprises protruding needle-like structures up to 100 nm in height that are lacking in both the Ps and the Zn-MCF. Their presence in an aqueous solution is yet unproven and role in preventing their bacterial attachment open to speculation. The present study highlights the need to generate novel biomaterials that integrate naturally occurring anti-adhesive polymers with specific metal ions to improve the chemical, physical and biological properties of these anti-adhesive surfaces. Cu-MCF complexes fabricated with thermal and pressure stability to prevent metal ion leakage hold promise for a broad spectrum of industrial and medical anti-biofilm applications.
Study in journal Advanced Materials Interfaces: Novel Anti-Adhesive Biomaterial Patches: Preventing Biofilm with Metal Complex Films (MCF) Derived from a Microalgal Polysaccharide…