Nanoengineered superhydrophobic surfaces to prevent the adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes for improved food safety

Authors: LEE, BOG - University Of Hawaii; YOU, YOUNGSANG - University Of Hawaii; CHOI, WON - Seoul National University; HONG, EUN-MI - Kangwon National University; Wall, Marisa; JUN, SOOJIN - University Of Hawaii

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASABE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2020
Publication Date: 9/1/2020
Citation: Lee, B.E., You, Y., Choi, W., Hong, E., Wall, M.M., Jun, S. 2020. Nanoengineered superhydrophobic surfaces to prevent the adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes for improved food safety. Transactions of the ASABE. 63(5):1401-1407. https://www.doi.org/10.13031/trans.13934.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13934

Interpretive Summary: Surfaces which prevent bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation are needed in the food industry. Superhydrophobic surfaces have potential to prevent the bacterial adhesion by minimizing the contact area between the bacterial cell and surface. In the present study, nanostructured antibacterial surfaces were successfully obtained by the combination of electrochemical etching and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. The adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes was decreased up to 99%. The minimized contact area and the adhesion force between the surface and bacterial cells demonstrated a significant decrease in the attachment of L. monocytogenes. The surfaces developed in this study provided a high possibility of regulating adhesion of foodborne pathogens and are promising candidates for use in the food system where bacterial adhesion is prominent.

Technical Abstract: Bacterial attachment on solid surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation is a significant problem in the food industry. Superhydrophobic surfaces have potential to prevent the bacterial adhesion by minimizing the contact area between the bacterial cell and surface. In this study, stainless steel-based superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated by manipulating nanostructures with electrochemical etching and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. The formation of nanostructures on stainless steel surfaces were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stainless steel surfaces etched at 10 V for 5 min and 10 V for 10 min with PTFE deposition resulted in an average water contact angles of 154° ± 4° with pore diameter of 50 nm. In addition, the adhesion of L. monocytogenes was decreased up to 99% compared to the bare substrate. These findings demonstrate the potential for the development of antibacterial surfaces via incorporating nanoporous patterns with PTFE films.