Antibiofilm Effect of Nitric Acid-Functionalized Carbon Nanotube-Based Surfaces against <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Rita Santos (Author) FEUP; Marisa Gomes (Author) Other; Luciana Gomes (Author) FEUP; Francisca Cardoso (Author) FEUP; Fábio Carvalho (Author) Other; Andreia Tomé (Author) FEUP; O.S.G.P. Soares (Author) FEUP; Kathryn Whitehead (Author) Other; Filipe Mergulhão (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Antibiotics

Vol. 12

Final page: 1620

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

LA LSRE-LCM - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 para a Unidade LA LSRE-LCM Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reacção - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-AN8

DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12111620

Abstract (EN): Chemically modified carbon nanotubes are recognized as effective materials for tackling bacterial infections. In this study, pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (p-MWCNTs) were functionalized with nitric acid (f-MWCNTs), followed by thermal treatment at 600 C-degrees, and incorporated into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix. The materials' textural properties were evaluated, and the roughness and morphology of MWCNT/PDMS composites were assessed using optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The antibiofilm activity of MWCNT/PDMS surfaces was determined by quantifying culturable Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus after 24 h of biofilm formation. Additionally, the antibacterial mechanisms of MWCNT materials were identified by flow cytometry, and the cytotoxicity of MWCNT/PDMS composites was tested against human kidney (HK-2) cells. The results revealed that the antimicrobial activity of MWCNTs incorporated into a PDMS matrix can be efficiently tailored through nitric acid functionalization, and it can be increased by up to 49% in the absence of surface carboxylic groups in f-MWCNT samples heated at 600 C-degrees and the presence of redox activity of carbonyl groups. MWCNT materials changed the membrane permeability of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, while they only induced the production of ROS in Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the synthesized composites did not impact HK-2 cell viability, confirming the biocompatibility of MWCNT composites.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16