Acylase-Based Coatings on Sandblasted Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Materials for Antimicrobial Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Bacterial colonization of indwelling medical devices forms biofilms resistant to antibiotics and immune defenses.
• Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication system crucial for biofilm development.
• Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a common material in medical devices, susceptible to bacterial adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop antimicrobial coatings by immobilizing acylase, a QS inhibitor, onto sandblasted PDMS surfaces.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these coatings in preventing bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.
• To investigate the role of surface modification in enhancing enzyme immobilization and antibacterial properties.

Main Methods:

• PDMS surfaces were sandblasted to increase roughness and facilitate acylase immobilization.
• Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to confirm acylase structure and activity post-immobilization.
• Antibacterial efficacy was tested against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Escherichia coli*.

Main Results:

• Sandblasted PDMS enhanced acylase attachment while preserving its enzymatic activity.
• Acylase-functionalized surfaces significantly reduced bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.
• A 40% inhibition of *P. aeruginosa* growth was observed under static conditions.

Conclusions:

• Acylase-immobilized PDMS surfaces demonstrate potent antimicrobial properties against common pathogens.
• Surface modification strategies can effectively create anti-biofilm coatings for medical devices.
• This approach offers a promising solution for preventing medical device-associated infections.