Surface versus Nanocatalyst-Induced Matrix Bubbles Govern Temperature-Dependent Biofilm Removal

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Bacterial biofilms, encased in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), exhibit high resistance to disinfectants and regenerate quickly.
• Conventional bubble-based antifouling methods are surface-limited and ineffective against three-dimensional biofilms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate temperature-controlled matrix bubbles for effective biofilm disruption and removal.
• To compare hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) alone versus MnO2-doped biosilica microparticles (MnO2-biosilica) for biofilm removal.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms as a model system.
• Compared H2O2 alone with MnO2-biosilica across various temperatures (25 and 40 °C).
• Employed kinetic and imaging analyses to study bubble dynamics and biofilm disruption.

Main Results:

• MnO2-biosilica generated temperature-amplified matrix bubbles that penetrated biofilms, disrupted EPS, and suppressed regrowth at elevated temperatures.
• H2O2 alone produced surface-localized bubbles with minimal temperature effect and limited biofilm removal.
• Nanocatalyst-induced matrix bubbles demonstrated effective biofilm removal from complex geometries and synergistic effects with autoclaving.

Conclusions:

• Temperature-controlled, nanocatalyst-mediated matrix bubble dynamics offer a physical strategy to overcome biofilm resistance.
• This approach shows promise for clinical and industrial applications in biofilm control.
• Matrix bubbles provide enhanced mechanical perturbation within the biofilm matrix, leading to superior removal.