Piezodynamic Eradication of Both Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria by Using a Nanoparticle Embedded Polymeric...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance and multidrug resistance (MDR) pose significant threats to human health.
• Dynamic antibacterial therapies offer alternative treatment strategies.
• Piezodynamic therapy, utilizing mechanical stimuli, is an emerging approach for bacterial infection treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel piezodynamic therapy for bacterial eradication.
• To utilize piezo-active bismuth ferrite-loaded poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) polymer membranes for combating bacterial infections.
• To investigate the efficacy against gram-positive (E. faecalis) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a free-standing membrane composed of bismuth ferrite-loaded poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene).
• Characterization of membrane structure and morphology using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
• Assessment of piezo-activity via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and application of soft ultrasound (~10 kHz) for bacterial ablation.

Main Results:

• The membrane demonstrated significant piezo-activity, confirmed by FTIR.
• Over 99% eradication of E. coli and E. faecalis was achieved within 30 minutes of ultrasound application.
• The membrane's solid-state and hydrophobic nature allowed for successful cyclic reuse, a novel finding.

Conclusions:

• Piezodynamic therapy with the developed membrane is highly effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
• The reusable nature of the membrane presents a sustainable and cost-effective antibacterial solution.
• Potential applications include healthcare systems, pigment industries, and self-cleaning materials.