12‐crown‐4–ether and tri(ethylene glycol) dimethyl–ether plasma‐coated stainless steel surfaces and their ability to reduce bacterial biofilm deposition

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that surfaces coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are capable of reducing protein adsorption, bacterial attachment, and biofilm formation. In this communication cold-plasma-enhanced processes were employed for the deposition of PEG-like structures onto stainless steel surfaces. Stainless steel samples were coated under 1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecane (12-crown-4)-ether and tri(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (triglyme)-radio frequency (RF)-plasma conditions. The chemistry and characteristics of plasma-coated samples and biofilms were investigated using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and water contact angle analysis. ESCA analysis indicated that the plasma modification resulted in the deposition of PEG-like structures, built up mainly of -CH 2 OCH 2 OO-linkages. Plasma-coated stainless steel surfaces were more hydrophilic and had lower surface roughness values compared to those of unmodified substrates. Compared to the unmodified surfaces, they not only significantly reduced bacterial attachment and biofilm formation in the presence of a mixed culture of Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens but also influenced the chemical characteristics of the biofilm. Thus, plasma deposition of PEG-like structures will be of use to the food-processing and medical industries searching for new technologies to reduce bacterial contamination.

Biofilm Formation by Bacillus cereus Is Influenced by PlcR, a Pleiotropic Regulator

“…nm (OD 620 ) of 0.01 in LB or EPS, a low nutrient medium that contained 7 g of K 2 HPO 4 , 3 g of KH 2 PO 4 , 0.1 g of MgSO 4 · 7H 2 O, 0.01 g of CaCl 2 , 0.001 g of FeSO 4 , 0.1 g of NaCl, 1 g of glucose, and 0.125 g of yeast extract (Difco) per liter (11). Then, 2 ml was added to wells of polystyrene 24-well plates (Falcon/Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ), followed by incubation at 32°C and 50 rpm for 8 h. The total growth (OD 620 ) in each well was measured; planktonic bacteria were removed, and the wells were washed with distilled water and air dried.…”

Generation of antifouling layers on stainless steel surfaces by plasma‐enhanced crosslinking of polyethylene glycol

“…This suggests that the decrease observed was due to the deposition of crosslinked PEG400. Denes and coworkers 21 have reported an increased bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on plasma oxidized SS304 by Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The difference could be the result of different bacteria used and different oxygen plasma parameters applied.…”

“…21 The reactor is equipped with a 13.56 MHz RF power supply. Plasma experiments were preceded by a 10 min oxygen plasma (300 W, 300mTorr) cleaning procedure to remove possible contaminants from earlier plasma reactions.…”

Advances in the Development of Supramolecular Polymeric Biomaterials

“…It was shown that this surface modification significantly reduced bacterial attachment and biofilm formation, yielding potential applications in the deposition of antifouling layers on a multitude of materials. 124 Crown ethers, which were first described as supramolecular host-guest systems, have received considerable interest in materials science research. Their specific ligand binding and ion-specific interactions can be incorporated into material networks to confer specific design criteria.…”