title: Antimicrobial activity of transition metal acid MoO(3) prevents microbial growth on material surfaces.
abstract: Serious infectious complications of patients in healthcare settings are often transmitted by materials and devices colonised by microorganisms (nosocomial infections). Current strategies to generate material surfaces with an antimicrobial activity suffer from the consumption of the antimicrobial agent and emerging multidrug-resistant pathogens amongst others. Consequently, materials surfaces exhibiting a permanent antimicrobial activity without the risk of generating resistant microorganisms are desirable. This publication reports on the extraordinary efficient antimicrobial properties of transition metal acids such as molybdic acid (H(2)MoO(4)), which is based on molybdenum trioxide (MoO(3)). The modification of various materials (e.g. polymers, metals) with MoO(3) particles or sol-gel derived coatings showed that the modified materials surfaces were practically free of microorganisms six hours after contamination with infectious agents. The antimicrobial activity is based on the formation of an acidic surface deteriorating cell growth and proliferation. The application of transition metal acids as antimicrobial surface agents is an innovative approach to prevent the dissemination of microorganisms in healthcare units and public environments.
authors.affiliation: University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Department of Materials Science and Engineering 3-Glass and Ceramics, Martensstr. 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany. cordt.zollfrank@ww.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Cordt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zollfrank
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gutbrod
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.forename: Josef Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Guggenbichler
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D010087:Oxides; C082290:molybdenum trioxide; D008982:Molybdenum; C581523:molybdic acid