Metal-Organic Framework Material Inhibits Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

An 85% reduction in the bacterial attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is achieved using a water-stable metal-organic framework (MOF) blended with chitosan. These materials demonstrate this reduction in bacterial adhesion in the first 6 h and maintain it over the full 24 h exposure period, a remarkable impediment of biofilm formation to achieve, given the strength of this bacteria strain. The films elicit the same inhibitory effect after a second round of experiments, suggesting reusability of the materials. Characterization of the films by powder X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance-IR, and scanning electron microscopy supports retention of the MOF structure within the chitosan matrix. The extensive control experiments employed in this study isolate the observed biological effects to the synthesized films, and not to possible leachates from the films. This presents the first account of using a water-stable MOF within a polymer as a means to achieve an antibacterial surface by demonstrating an 85% reduction in bacterial attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.