1. Chlorine-rich plasma polymer coating for the prevention of attachment of pathogenic fungal cells onto materials surfaces
- Author
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Bryan R. Coad, Thomas D. Michl, Carla Giles, Stephanie J. Lamont-Friedrich, Hans J. Griesser, Lamont-Friedrich, Stephanie J, Michl, Thomas D, Giles, Carla, Griesser, Hans J, and Coad, Bryan R
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,organochlorine polymer ,Acoustics and Ultrasonics ,plasma polymerization ,02 engineering and technology ,Substrate (printing) ,engineering.material ,biofilm ,03 medical and health sciences ,Coating ,Organic chemistry ,candidaemia ,Thin film ,Candida albicans ,Candida ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,trichloroethane ,Candida glabrata ,biology ,Chemistry ,antifungal coating ,Biofilm ,Polymer ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,biology.organism_classification ,Plasma polymerization ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,030104 developmental biology ,Chemical engineering ,engineering ,0210 nano-technology ,biomaterials - Abstract
The attachment of pathogenic fungal cells onto materials surfaces, which is often followed by biofilm formation, causes adverse consequences in a wide range of areas. Here we have investigated the ability of thin film coatings from chlorinated molecules to deter fungal colonization of solid materials by contact killing of fungal cells reaching the surface of the coating. Coatings were deposited onto various substrate materials via plasma polymerization, which is a substrate-independent process widely used for industrial coating applications, using 1,1,2-trichloroethane as the process vapour. XPS surface analysis showed that the coatings were characterized by a highly chlorinated hydrocarbon polymer nature, with only a very small amount of oxygen incorporated. The activity of these coatings against human fungal pathogens was quantified using a recently developed, modified yeast assay and excellent antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Plasma polymer surface coatings derived from chlorinated hydrocarbon molecules may therefore offer a promising solution to preventing yeast and mould biofilm formation on materials surfaces, for applications such as air conditioners, biomedical devices, food processing equipment, and others. Refereed/Peer-reviewed
- Published
- 2016