Synthesis and Characterization of Antimicrobial Hydrophobic Polyurethane

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Food Safety
• Microbiology

Background:

• Foodborne illnesses pose a significant public health risk, often stemming from bacterial cross-contamination in manufacturing environments.
• Existing sanitation guidelines are insufficient to prevent bacterial harborage in hard-to-reach areas within food production facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate a novel multifunctional polyurethane coating with both low surface energy and bactericidal properties.
• To address the challenge of bacterial persistence on non-food contact surfaces in food manufacturing settings.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a copolymer coating integrating a 16-carbon quaternary ammonium bromide (C16QAB) with perfluoropolyether (PFPE) onto a polyurethane base.
• Measured the critical surface tension of the modified coating using established methods.
• Assessed the bactericidal efficacy of the C16QAB + PFPE polyurethane against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica.

Main Results:

• The perfluoropolyether (PFPE) component significantly lowered the coating's critical surface tension from 18.07 to 13.14 mN m⁻¹.
• The C16QAB + PFPE polyurethane coating demonstrated potent bactericidal activity, achieving >6 log reduction of Listeria monocytogenes and >3 log reduction of Salmonella enterica within 8 hours.
• The synthesized coating exhibited multifunctional properties, combining low surface energy with antimicrobial action.

Conclusions:

• The developed C16QAB + PFPE polyurethane coating is effective in preventing the survival and persistence of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria.
• This innovative coating offers a promising solution for enhancing food safety by reducing bacterial contamination on non-food contact surfaces in food production.
• The combination of low surface energy and antimicrobial properties makes this coating a valuable tool for the food industry.