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Updated: Jul 1, 2025
High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
Published on: November 5, 2016
Visible-light photoactivated proanthocyanidin and kappa-carrageenan coating with anti-adhesive properties against
Caroline Santinon1, Anabela Borges2, Manuel Simões2
1ªSchool of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Albert Einstein Av., 500, 13083-852 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
The increase of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern worldwide and the search for new therapies could cost billions of dollars and countless lives. Inert surfaces are major sources of contamination due to easier adhesion and formation of bacterial biofilms, hindering the disinfection process. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a photoactivatable and anti-adhesive kappa-carrageenan coating using proanthocyanidin as a photosensitizer. The complete reduction (>5-log10 CFU/cm3) of culturable cells of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogens was achieved after 30 min of exposure to visible light (420 nm; 30 mW/cm2) with 5 % (w/v) of the photosensitizer. Cell membrane damage was confirmed by measuring potassium leakage, epifluorescence microscopy and bacterial motility analysis. Overall, visible light irradiation on coated solid surfaces mediated by proanthocyanidin showed no cytotoxicity and inactivated clinically important pathogens through the generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibiting bacterial initial adhesion. The developed coating is a promising alternative for a wide range of applications related to surface disinfection and food biopreservation.
Insights
A novel photoactivatable coating inactivates dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli on surfaces. This proanthocyanidin-enhanced kappa-carrageenan coating offers a new solution for surface disinfection and food preservation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis, necessitating novel antimicrobial strategies.
- Bacterial biofilms on inert surfaces pose significant contamination and disinfection challenges.
- Developing effective, non-cytotoxic antimicrobial surfaces is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a photoactivatable and anti-adhesive coating using kappa-carrageenan and proanthocyanidin.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this coating against common bacterial pathogens.
- To investigate the mechanism of bacterial inactivation and anti-adhesion properties.
Main Methods:
- Development of a kappa-carrageenan coating incorporating proanthocyanidin as a photosensitizer.
- Exposure of coated surfaces to visible light (420 nm) to activate the photosensitizer.
- Quantitative analysis of bacterial reduction (CFU/cm³), cell membrane damage (potassium leakage), and biofilm formation.
- Assessment of cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species generation.
Main Results:
- Complete reduction (>5-log₁₀ CFU/cm³) of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa achieved within 30 minutes of light exposure.
- Visible light irradiation with 5% proanthocyanidin demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity.
- Confirmed cell membrane damage and inhibition of bacterial initial adhesion.
- No observed cytotoxicity of the irradiated coating.
Conclusions:
- The developed photoactivatable coating effectively inactivates major bacterial pathogens via reactive oxygen species generation.
- Proanthocyanidin-mediated visible light irradiation offers a potent, non-cytotoxic surface disinfection method.
- This coating presents a promising alternative for surface disinfection and food biopreservation applications.
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