Ferromagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity enhance the cleavage of biological macromolecules for biofilm elimination.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a "green chemical" that has various cleaning and disinfectant uses, including as an anti-bacterial agent for hygienic and medical treatments. However, its efficacy is limited against biofilm-producing bacteria, because of poor penetration into the protective, organic matrix. Here we show new applications for ferromagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4, MNPs) with peroxidase-like activity in potentiating the efficacy of H2O2 in biofilm degradation and prevention. Our data show that MNPs enhanced oxidative cleavage of biofilm components (model nucleic acids, proteins, and oligosaccharides) in the presence of H2O2. When challenged with live, biofilm-producing bacteria, the MNP-H2O2 system efficiently broke down the existing biofilm and prevented new biofilms from forming, killing both planktonic bacteria and those within the biofilm. By enhancing oxidative cleavage of various substrates, the MNP-H2O2 system provides a novel strategy for biofilm elimination, and other applications utilizing oxidative breakdown.
Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. gaolizeng@hotmail.com.
Lizeng
L
Gao
Krista M
KM
Giglio
Jacquelyn L
JL
Nelson
Holger
H
Sondermann
Alexander J
AJ
Travis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D053837:DNA Cleavage / Q000187:drug effects; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011506:Proteins; D004247:DNA; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010544:Peroxidases; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide