title: Graft polymerization of styryl bisphosphonate monomer onto polypropylene films for inhibition of biofilm formation.
abstract: There has been increased concern during the past few decades over the role bacterial biofilms play in causing a variety of health problems, especially since they exhibit a high degree of resistance to antibiotics and are able to survive in hostile environments. Biofilms consist of bacterial aggregates enveloped by a self-produced matrix attached to the surface. Ca(2+) ions promote the formation of biofilms, and enhance their stability, viscosity, and strength. Bisphosphonates exhibit a high affinity for Ca(2+) ions, and may inhibit the formation of biofilms by acting as sequestering agents for Ca(2+) ions. Although the antibacterial activity of bisphosphonates is well known, research into their anti-biofilm behavior is still in its early stages. In this study, we describe the synthesis of a new thin coating composed of poly(styryl bisphosphonate) grafted onto oxidized polypropylene films for anti-biofilm applications. This grafting process was performed by graft polymerization of styryl bisphosphonate vinylic monomer onto O2 plasma-treated polypropylene films. The surface modification of the polypropylene films was confirmed using surface measurements, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle goniometry. Significant inhibition of biofilm formation was achieved for both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel. Electronic address: hannasht8@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hanna P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Steinmetz
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel. Electronic address: safrar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Safra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rudnick-Glick
authors.affiliation: The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel. Electronic address: natan.michal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Natan
authors.affiliation: The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel. Electronic address: ehud.banin@biu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Banin
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel. Electronic address: shlomo.margel@mail.biu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Margel
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D020058:Styrene / Q000737:chemistry*; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D011108:Polymers; D011409:Propylene Glycols; C012504:polypropylene glycol; D020058:Styrene
keywords: Biofilm; Bisphosphonate; Graft polymerization; O(2) plasma treatment