TY - JOUR

T1 - The use of biomimetic surfaces to reduce single- and dual-species biofilms of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida

AU - Teixeira-Santos, Rita

AU - Azevedo, Ana

AU - Romeu, Maria J.

AU - Amador, Cristina I.

AU - Gomes, Luciana C.

AU - Whitehead, Kathryn A.

AU - Sjollema, Jelmer

AU - Burmølle, Mette

AU - Mergulhão, Filipe J.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - The ability of bacteria to adhere to and form biofilms on food contact surfaces poses serious challenges, as these may lead to the cross-contamination of food products. Biomimetic topographic surface modifications have been explored to enhance the antifouling performance of materials. In this study, the topography of two plant leaves, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (cauliflower, CF) and Brassica oleracea capitate (white cabbage, WC), was replicated through wax moulding, and their antibiofilm potential was tested against single- and dual-species biofilms of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida. Biomimetic surfaces exhibited higher roughness values (Sa WC = 4.0 ± 1.0 μm and Sa CF = 3.3 ± 1.0 μm) than the flat control (Sa F = 0.6 ± 0.2 μm), whilst the CF surface demonstrated a lower interfacial free energy (ΔGiwi) than the WC surface (−100.08 mJ m−2 and −71.98 mJ m−2, respectively). The CF and WC surfaces had similar antibiofilm effects against single-species biofilms, achieving cell reductions of approximately 50% and 60% for E. coli and P. putida, respectively, compared to the control. Additionally, the biomimetic surfaces led to reductions of up to 60% in biovolume, 45% in thickness, and 60% in the surface coverage of single-species biofilms. For dual-species biofilms, only the E. coli strain growing on the WC surface exhibited a significant decrease in the cell count. However, confocal microscopy analysis revealed a 60% reduction in the total biovolume and surface coverage of mixed biofilms developed on both biomimetic surfaces. Furthermore, dual-species biofilms were mainly composed of P. putida, which reduced E. coli growth. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the surface properties of CF and WC biomimetic surfaces have the potential for reducing biofilm formation.

AB - The ability of bacteria to adhere to and form biofilms on food contact surfaces poses serious challenges, as these may lead to the cross-contamination of food products. Biomimetic topographic surface modifications have been explored to enhance the antifouling performance of materials. In this study, the topography of two plant leaves, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (cauliflower, CF) and Brassica oleracea capitate (white cabbage, WC), was replicated through wax moulding, and their antibiofilm potential was tested against single- and dual-species biofilms of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida. Biomimetic surfaces exhibited higher roughness values (Sa WC = 4.0 ± 1.0 μm and Sa CF = 3.3 ± 1.0 μm) than the flat control (Sa F = 0.6 ± 0.2 μm), whilst the CF surface demonstrated a lower interfacial free energy (ΔGiwi) than the WC surface (−100.08 mJ m−2 and −71.98 mJ m−2, respectively). The CF and WC surfaces had similar antibiofilm effects against single-species biofilms, achieving cell reductions of approximately 50% and 60% for E. coli and P. putida, respectively, compared to the control. Additionally, the biomimetic surfaces led to reductions of up to 60% in biovolume, 45% in thickness, and 60% in the surface coverage of single-species biofilms. For dual-species biofilms, only the E. coli strain growing on the WC surface exhibited a significant decrease in the cell count. However, confocal microscopy analysis revealed a 60% reduction in the total biovolume and surface coverage of mixed biofilms developed on both biomimetic surfaces. Furthermore, dual-species biofilms were mainly composed of P. putida, which reduced E. coli growth. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the surface properties of CF and WC biomimetic surfaces have the potential for reducing biofilm formation.

KW - Antiadhesive effect

KW - Antibiofilm activity

KW - Biomimetic surfaces

KW - Food contact surfaces

KW - Hydrophobicity

KW - Topographical features

U2 - 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100185

DO - 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100185

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38444517

AN - SCOPUS:85186508848

VL - 7

JO - Biofilm

JF - Biofilm

SN - 2590-2075

M1 - 100185

ER -