Substrate heating method for coating metal surfaces with high-silica zeolites: ZSM-5 coatings on stainless steel plates

Biofilms on food-contact surfaces can lead to recurrent contamination. This work aimed to study the biofilm formation process on stainless steel plates used in the dairy industry: 304 surface finish 2B and electropolished; and the effect of a cleaning and disinfection process using alkaline (AEW) and neutral (NEW) electrolyzed water. Milk fouling during heat processing can lead to type A or B deposits, which were analyzed for composition, surface energy, thickness, and roughness, while the role of raw milk microbiota on biofilm development was investigated. Bacteria, yeasts, and lactic acid bacteria were detected using EUB-338, PF2, and Str-493 probes, respectively, whereas Lis-637 probe detected Listeria sp. The genetic complexity and diversity of biofilms varied according to biofilm maturation day, as evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequence, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence in situ hybridization microscopy. From analysis of the experimental designs, a cleaning stage of 50 mg/L NaOH of AEW at 30 °C for 10 min, followed by disinfection using 50 mg/L total available chlorine of NEW at 20 °C for 5 min is a sustainable alternative process to prevent biofilm formation. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the effectiveness of this process.

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Layer-by-layer coating of stainless steel plates mediated by surface priming treatment to improve antithrombogenic properties

Biomedical Science and Engineering ◽

10.4081/bse.2016.22 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Carmagnola ◽

Tiziana Nardo ◽

Francesca Boccafoschi ◽

Valeria Chiono

Keyword(s):

Stainless Steel ◽

Surface Modification ◽

Platelet Activation ◽

Colorimetric Assay ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Human Platelets ◽

Steel Plates ◽

Blue Dye ◽

Layer By Layer

The stainless steel (SS) stents have been used in clinics since 1994. However, typical drawbacks are restenosis and thrombus formation due to limited endothelialisation and hemocompatibility. Surface modification is a smart strategy to enhance antithrombogenicity by promoting endothelialisation. In this work, the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique was applied for coating SS model substrates, after surface priming by functionalisation with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES). A LbL coating made of 14 layers of poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and heparin as last layer was deposited. FTIR-ATR analysis and contact angle measurements showed that LbL was an effective method to prepare nanostructured coatings. XPS analysis and colorimetric assay employing 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue dye to detect -COOH groups confirmed the successful polyelectrolyte deposition on the coated samples. Preliminary in vitro cell tests, using whole blood and human platelets, were performed to evaluate how surface modification affects platelet activation. Results showed that SS and SS-APTES surfaces induced platelet activation, as indicated by platelet spreading and filopodia formation. After surface modification by LbL coating, the platelets assumed a round shape and no fibrin nets were detected. Data demonstrated that LbL coating is a promising technique to fabricate antithrombogenic surface.

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