Metal-Based Antibacterial Substrates for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The interest in nanotechnology and the growing concern for the antibiotic resistance demonstrated by many microorganisms have recently stimulated many efforts in designing innovative biomaterials and substrates with antibacterial properties. Among the implemented strategies to control the incidence of infections associated with the use of biomedical device and implants, interesting routes are represented by the incorporation of bactericidal agents onto the surface of biomaterials for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth. Natural products and particularly bioactive metals such as silver, copper and zinc represent an interesting alternative for the development of advanced biomaterials with antimicrobial properties. This review presents an overview of recent progress in the modification of biomaterials as well as the most attractive techniques for the deposition of antimicrobial coatings on different substrates for biomedical application. Moreover, some research activities and results achieved by the authors in the development of antibacterial materials are also presented and discussed.

In Vitro Assessment of the Antibacterial Potential of Silver Nano-Coatings on Cotton Gauzes for Prevention of Wound Infections

“…In the graph reported in Figure 7, no significant differences can be observed in percentage of cell proliferation between untreated and 0.5 wt/v % Ag-treated samples. These data confirmed no cytotoxic effect of silver treated textile substrates and no skin irritation or hypoallergenicity effects through in vivo testing on selected patients [44,45,46,47]. Although the cell viability was reduced by the samples treated with 4 wt/v % silver, the highest values of silver release produced results that were still lower than the limit of cytotoxicity reported in the literature [48,49,50].…”

Monocyclic β-lactams loaded on hydroxyapatite: new biomaterials with enhanced antibacterial activity against resistant strains

“…Most antimicrobial agents, such as silver, chlorhexidine and nitric oxide display adverse side effects and/or low efficiency, whereas the antimicrobial resistance of coatings containing classical antibiotics depends on the activity of the drug on resistant strains and on their side-effects 8, 10–12 .…”

State of the Surface of Antibacterial Copper in Phosphate Buffered Saline

“…31,32 It was also suggested that the stability of Cu 2 O depends on the concentration of chloride ions. On the other hand, some works showed that cupric oxide, CuO, or cupric hydroxide, Cu(OH) 2 , could be detected as a function of surface preparation and electrolyte. 30,[32][33][34] Overall, there is a lack of in situ investigations about formation of surface films in Cl − -containing media.…”