The effect of surface properties on the strength of attachment of fungal spores using AFM perpendicular force measurements

Whitehead, Kathryn A.; Deisenroth, Ted; Preuß, Andrea; Liauw, Christopher M.

doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.10.001

Cited by 21 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…This data and the literature data (Niknejad et al, 2011, Sisti et al, 2012 suggests that Aspergillus niger spores are specifically resistant to PAA based disinfectants. This may be due to the hydrophobic nature of Aspergillus niger spores (Whitehead et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic evaluation of a peracetic-acid-based high performance disinfectant

Humphreys

Finan

Rout

et al. 2013

Journal of Infection Prevention

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The importance of environmental contamination in the spread of HAI has generated a need for high performance disinfectants. Currently chlorine based disinfectants are the products of choice, a position reflected in UK guidance. The aim of this research was to evaluate a peracetic acid (PAA) generating disinfectant to determine if it provided a realistic alternative to commonly used chlorine based disinfectants. The European standards framework was employed in this study and enhanced where appropriate by reducing the contact times, increasing the organic and microbial challenge, and changing the organisms involved. When tested against bacteria and spores PAA provided similar or better performance than currently employed levels of chlorine. This was particularly the case in the presence of an organic challenge or dried surface contamination. The chlorine disinfectants only demonstrated superior performance in the case of fungal spores. These results suggest that PAA generating products provide an effective alternative to chlorine based products up to 10,000 ppm free available chlorine. These products have superior performance in situations with spore borne, surface contamination and high organic challenge. In cases where filamentous fungi are a concern, high levels of PAA (>5000 ppm) would be required to match the performance of chlorine based disinfectants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic evaluation of a peracetic-acid-based high performance disinfectant

Humphreys

Finan

Rout

et al. 2013

Journal of Infection Prevention

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“…The biofouling of surfaces by fungal spores may result in undesired effects such as their colouring and deterioration [1,2] or may be beneficial to enhance biotechnological processes, such as the biodeterioration of polymer wastes [3], or malic acid production from biodiesel using Aspergillus niger [4]. However, degradation caused by fungi, is a major issue with the application of polymeric materials [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The binding of fungal conidia to surfaces is influenced by both the properties of the surface and of the fungal spores [2]. The binding of fungal spores to a surface is influenced by many factors such as surface topography, chemistry, physicochemistry and electrostatic interactions [2,[7][8][9][10]. However, the interactions at the cell:substratum interface may also be influenced by the experimental methodology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Attachment of Fungal Conidia to Substrates of Polyvinyl Acetate and Polyvinyl Alcohol

et al. 2020

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Biofouling of PVAc and PVOH surfaces by fungal conidia can result in surface discolouration and subsequent biodeterioration. In order to understand the interactions of fungal conidia on polymer surfaces, the surface properties of PVAc and PVOH and the hydrophobicity, size and shape of three type of fungal conidia was determined (Aspergillus niger 1957, Aspergillus niger 1988 and Aureobasidium pullulans). Fungal conidia were used in a range of binding assays (attachment, adhesion and retention). The PVAc and PVOH demonstrated different surface topographies and the PVAc demonstrated a higher maximum height (300.6 nm) when compared to the PVOH (434.2 nm). The PVAc surfaces was less wettable (75°) than the PVOH surface (62°). The FTIR demonstrated differences in the chemistries of the two surfaces, whereby the PVOH confirmed the presence of polar moieties. Hydrophobicity assays demonstrated that both A. niger species' were more non-wettable than the A. pullulans. Following the attachment assays, the more hydrophobic Aspergillus spp. conidia attached in greater numbers to the more wettable surface and the A. pullulans was retained in greater numbers to the less wettable PVAc surface. The adhesion and retention assays demonstrated that the more polar surface retained all the types of conidia, regardless of their surface hydrophobicities. This study demonstrated that conidial binding to the surfaces were influenced by the chemistry and physicochemistry of the surfaces and spores. However, the inclusion of a washing stage influenced the adhesion of conidia to surfaces. In environments that were indicative of a attachment or retention assay a PVAc surface would reduce the number of A. niger spp. spores whilst a PVOH surface would reduce the number of A. pullulans spores. However, in an environment similar to a adhesion assay, a PVAc surface would be most beneficial to reduce spore retention. Thus, the use of the correct methodology that reflects the environment in which the surface is to be used is important in order to accurately inform hygienic surface development.

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“…The adhesion forces were about 30 and 65 nN at relative humidities of 33% and 64%, respectively. Similarly, the forces to detach A. niger spores from polymeric surfaces were measured . The detachment forces ranged from 1 to 40 nN, depending on the type of polymeric surface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, the forces to detach A. niger spores from polymeric surfaces were measured. 22 The detachment forces ranged from 1 to 40 nN, depending on the type of polymeric surface. Furthermore, the adhesion forces between segregated A. niger spores were found to vary from 0.5 to 1.8 nN.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring detachment ofAspergillus nigerspores from colonies with an atomic force microscope

Zhang

Wang

2018

Indoor Air

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Detachment of fungal spores from moldy surfaces and the subsequent aerosolization can lead to adverse health effects. Spore aerosolization occurs when the forces for aerosolization exceed the binding forces of spores with their colonies. The threshold force to detach a spore from a growing colony remains unknown. This investigation measured the detachment of spores of Aspergillus niger from a colony using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The spores were first affixed to the cantilever of the AFM with ultraviolet curing glue, and then, the colony was moved downward until the spores detached. The threshold detachment forces were inferred from the deflection of the cantilever. In addition, the spores were aerosolized in a wind tunnel by a gradual increase of the blowing air speed. The forces measured by the AFM were compared with the hydrodynamic forces for aerosolization. The AFM measurements revealed that a force of 3.27 ± 0.25 nN was required to detach a single spore from the 4-day-old colony, while 1.98 ± 0.13 nN was sufficient for the 10-day-old colony. Slightly smaller detachment forces were observed by the AFM than were determined by the aerosolization tests.

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The effect of surface properties on the strength of attachment of fungal spores using AFM perpendicular force measurements

Cited by 21 publications

References 45 publications

A systematic evaluation of a peracetic-acid-based high performance disinfectant

A systematic evaluation of a peracetic-acid-based high performance disinfectant

The Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Attachment of Fungal Conidia to Substrates of Polyvinyl Acetate and Polyvinyl Alcohol

Measuring detachment ofAspergillus nigerspores from colonies with an atomic force microscope

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