Improved electro-destruction of bacterial biofilms by coating conductive surfaces with polymers

• Published in: European polymer journal 2024-04, Vol.209, p.112910, Article 112910
• Main Authors: Hoang, Stephane, Zhukouskaya, Hanna, Ivanko, Iryna, Svoboda, Jan, Hympánová, Michaela, Marek, Jan, Soukup, Ondřej, Šlouf, Miroslav, Kotek, Jan, Doris, Eric, Gravel, Edmond, Tomšík, Elena, Hrubý, Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodic oxidation; Bacteria; Biofilm; Chemical Sciences; Ferrocene; Polymer; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.112910

[Display omitted] •Innovative polymer coatings on anodes improve electromediated biofilm eradication.•Coatings catalyze ROS generation or convert hydrophobic surfaces to bactericidal polycations.•Promising efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms demonstrated.•Addressing critical challenge in medical field: biofilm-associated infections. The formation of biofilm involves cell aggregation and adherence, enveloped by a self-produced extracellular matrix. In the medical domain, biofilm-associated infections pose significant challenges, especially concerning implants. This investigation focuses on enhancing electromediated bacterial biofilm eradication through polymer coatings on the anode. These coatings catalyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation or convert hydrophobic coatings to bactericidal hydrophilic polycations, detaching the biofilms that are predominantly polyanionic. The first approach employs a metallized polytetrathienylporphyrin layer with ROS catalytic capability, while the second involves an insoluble hydrophobic polyamide, which, upon oxidation, transforms into a bactericidal hydrolytically degradable polycation. Both approaches show promising efficacy in augmenting electromediated Staphylococcus aureus biofilm destruction.