Journal
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES
Volume 380, Issue 2232, Pages -Publisher
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2021.0344
Keywords
atomic force microscopy; polymer surface; lateral force; fungal spores; Aspergillus; Aureobasidium
Categories
Funding
- Ciba Speciality Chemicals
- BASF SE
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Microbial biofouling can lead to deterioration, cracking, and fracturing of polymer surfaces. Adhesion strength of fungal spores varies on different surfaces. Spore attachment is a multifactorial process influenced by surface and microbial factors.
Microbial biofouling on polymer surfaces can lead to their biodeterioration. This may result in deterioration of the surface, leading to cracking and fracturing. Fungal spores from Aspergillus niger 1957, Aspergillus niger 1988 and Aureobasidium pullulans were tested to determine their strength of attachment on three surfaces, p(gamma-MPS-co-MMA), p(gamma-MPS-co-LMA) and spin-coated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMAsc), using lateral force measurements. The results demonstrate that A. niger 1957 and A. niger 1988 spores were most easily removed from the p(gamma-MPS-co-MMA) surface, which was the surface with the highest R-a value. The A. niger 1957 and A. pullulans spores were most difficult to remove from the PMMAsc surface, which was the hardest surface. A. niger 1988 spores were the most difficult to remove from p(gamma-MPS-co-LMA), the most hydrophobic surface. The results with A. pullulans were difficult to elucidate since the spores bound to all three surfaces and were removed with similar rates of force. The lateral force results demonstrate that spore attachment to a surface is a multi-factorial process, and independent surface and microbial factors influence spore binding. Thus, each environmental scenario needs to be considered on an individual basis, since a solution to one biofouling issue will probably not translate across to other systems.This article is part of the theme issue 'Nanocracks in nature and industry'.
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