The formation of a protein nanobiofilm on the surface
of degradable
biomaterials such as magnesium (Mg) and its alloys influences metal
ion release, cell adhesion/spreading, and biocompatibility. During
the early stage of human body implantation, competition and interaction
between inorganic species and protein molecules result in a complex
film containing Mg oxide and a protein layer. This film affects the
electrochemical properties of the metal surface, the protein conformational
arrangement, and the electronic properties of the protein/Mg oxide
interface. In this study, we discuss the impact of various simulated
body fluids, including sodium chloride (NaCl), phosphate-buffered
saline (PBS), and Hanks’ solutions on protein adsorption, electrochemical
interactions, and electrical surface potential (ESP) distribution
at the adsorbed protein/Mg oxide interface. After 10 min of immersion
in NaCl, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning Kelvin probe force
microscopy (SKPFM) showed a higher surface roughness related to enhanced
degradation and lower ESP distribution on a Mg-based alloy than those
in other solutions. Furthermore, adding bovine serum albumin (BSA)
to all solutions caused a decline in the total surface roughness and
ESP magnitude on the Mg alloy surface, particularly in the NaCl electrolyte.
Using SKPFM surface analysis, we detected a protein nanobiofilm (∼10–20
nm) with an aggregated and/or fibrillary morphology only on the Mg
surface exposed in Hanks’ and PBS solutions; these surfaces
had a lower ESP value than the oxide layer.