Zosteric acid and salicylic acid bound to a low density polyethylene surface successfully control bacterial biofilm formation

Abstract

The active moieties of the anti-biofilm natural compounds zosteric (ZA) and salicylic (SA) acids have been covalently immobilized on a low density polyethylene (LDPE) surface. The grafting procedure provided new non-toxic eco-friendly materials (LDPE-CA and LDPE-SA) with anti-biofilm properties superior to the conventional biocide-based approaches and with features suitable for applications in challenging fields where the use of antimicrobial agents is limited. Microbiological investigation proved that LDPE-CA and LDPE-SA: (1) reduced Escherichia coli biofilm biomass by up to 61% with a mechanism that did not affect bacterial viability; (2) significantly affected biofilm morphology, decreasing biofilm thickness, roughness, substratum coverage, cell and matrix polysaccharide bio-volumes by >80% and increasing the surface to bio-volume ratio; (3) made the biofilm more susceptible to ampicillin and ethanol. Since no molecules were leached from the surface, they remained constantly effective and below the lethal level; therefore, the risk of inducing resistance was minimized.

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Citation

Catto, C., Garth James, F. Villa, S. Villa, and F. Cappitelli. "Zosteric acid and salicylic acid bound to a low density polyethylene surface successfully control bacterial biofilm formation." Biofouling 34, no. 4 (April 2018): 440-452. DOI:10.1080/08927014.2018.1462342.
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