Imidazolium Salts for Candida spp. Antibiofilm High-Density Polyethylene-Based Biomaterials

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 15; no. 5; p. 1259
• Main Authors: Martins Leal Schrekker, Clarissa, Sokolovicz, Yuri Clemente Andrade, Raucci, Maria Grazia, Leal, Claudio Alberto Martins, Ambrosio, Luigi, Lettieri Teixeira, Mário, Meneghello Fuentefria, Alexandre, Schrekker, Henri Stephan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-03-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Additives; Antifungal agents; Biocompatibility; Biofilms; Biomedical materials; Catheters; Cell adhesion; Contact angle; Drug delivery systems; Fungi; High density polyethylenes; Laboratories; Medical devices; Medical equipment; Melt blending; Microorganisms; Microscopy; Nosocomial infections; Phase transitions; Pigskins; Polyethylene; Polymers; Stem cells; Tissue engineering; Brazil; United States > US; China; Germany; ionic liquid; histopathological evaluation; melt blending; biocompatibility; human mesenchymal stem cells
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym15051259

The species of
present good capability to form fungal biofilms on polymeric surfaces and are related to several human diseases since many of the employed medical devices are designed using polymers, especially high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Herein, HDPE films containing 0; 0.125; 0.250 or 0.500 wt% of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C
MImCl) or its analog 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate (C
MImMeS) were obtained by melt blending and posteriorly mechanically pressurized into films. This approach resulted in more flexible and less brittle films, which impeded the
, and
biofilm formation on their surfaces. The employed imidazolium salt (IS) concentrations did not present any significant cytotoxic effect, and the good cell adhesion/proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells on the HDPE-IS films indicated good biocompatibility. These outcomes combined with the absence of microscopic lesions in pig skin after contact with HDPE-IS films demonstrated their potential as biomaterials for the development of effective medical device tools that reduce the risk of fungal infections.