Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation on Silver Doped Hydroxyapatite/Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Layer

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Developing effective antimicrobial coatings is crucial for preventing medical device-associated infections.
• Silver and hydroxyapatite are known for their antimicrobial and biocompatible properties, respectively.
• Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) offers a versatile polymer matrix for composite materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize novel silver-doped hydroxyapatite/polydimethylsiloxane (Ag:HAp-PDMS) composite layers.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial efficacy of the developed composite layers.
• To investigate the antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans.

Main Methods:

• Deposition of PDMS polymer layer on silicon disks via atmospheric pressure corona discharges.
• Fabrication of Ag:HAp-PDMS composite layers using thermal evaporation.
• Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
• Antimicrobial assessment against Candida albicans using culture-based methods, SEM, and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM).

Main Results:

• Successful preparation and characterization of Ag:HAp-PDMS composite layers.
• Demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans.
• Confirmed effective inhibition of Candida albicans biofilm formation by SEM and CLSM.

Conclusions:

• The novel Ag:HAp-PDMS composite layers exhibit promising antimicrobial properties.
• This material is effective in preventing Candida albicans biofilm development.
• The findings suggest potential applications in biomedical devices for infection control.