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Inhibiting P. fluorescens biofilms with fluoropolymer-embedded silver nanoparticles: an in-situ spectroscopic study
M C Sportelli1, E Tütüncü2, R A Picca1
1Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", V. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy.
Scientific Reports
|September 21, 2017
Summary
Silver-carbon fluoride (Ag-CFx) thin films effectively inhibit biofilm growth. These nanoantimicrobial coatings cause significant bacterial stress and cell lysis within hours, preventing infections.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Surface Science
Background:
- Biofilms, bacterial aggregates in extracellular polymeric substance, promote surface adhesion and antimicrobial resistance.
- Inhibiting biofilm growth is critical for preventing bacterial infections.
- Inorganic nanoparticle/Teflon-like (CFx) composites show efficient antimicrobial activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize Ag-CFx thin films with controlled silver content.
- To investigate the antimicrobial activity of Ag-CFx films against bacterial biofilms.
- To monitor biofilm inhibition in real-time using infrared spectroscopy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Ag-CFx thin films via ion beam sputtering.
- Mid-infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy for real-time biofilm monitoring.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for analyzing bacterial morphology.
Main Results:
- Ag-CFx films exhibited tuneable silver loading and homogeneity.
- Real-time spectroscopy demonstrated significant inhibition of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm growth.
- AFM revealed severe bacterial stress, membrane damage, and cell lysis upon exposure to Ag-CFx.
Conclusions:
- Ag-CFx thin films are effective nanoantimicrobial coatings.
- The release of bioactive silver ions from Ag-CFx inhibits biofilm formation.
- These findings support the potential of Ag-CFx for preventing biofilm-associated infections.
