ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF ZINC OXIDE MICROPARTICLES ON MATERIALS INTENDED FOR HOSPITAL SURFACE AGAINST ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BIOFILM

• Grant number: 25/11231-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Biophysics of Processes and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Angela Mitie Otta Kinoshita
• Grantee: Nathalia Toyokawa Monteiro
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hospital infections caused by human host species such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have become increasingly frequent due to the difficulty in controlling them. The resistance presented by these microorganisms results from their ability to form biofilm, an effective virulence factor in the form of a gelatinous extracellular matrix composed mainly of polysaccharides, which may contain single or multiple species in a single medium. Since it facilitates adhesion and colonization of the environment by bacteria and some fungal species, they can be easily found on surfaces and hospital devices, directly relating to morbidity and mortality rates. Based on this assumption, the development of new approaches in an attempt to control these microorganisms becomes essential. This project aims to test the anti-biofilm capacity of a coating material made from a polymer (water-based acrylic paint) containing zinc oxide microparticles (ZnO-MPs) for application on surfaces to prevent the proliferation of pathogens that cause hospital infections, with a focus on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus. The proposal aims to inhibit the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ZnO-MPs according to CLSI standard protocols, comparative antifungal tests with control coatings (without microparticles), evaluation of biofilm formation and cell viability (plating/CFU). It is expected that the antimicrobial activity of the developed material will be significant when compared to the control drug, offering a new strategy to control the spread of these organisms.