Nanoengineered Superhydrophobic Surfaces to Prevent Adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes for Improved Food Safety

Abstract

HighlightsNanoporous superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated using electrochemical etching and Teflon coating.Adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes to the nanoengineered stainless steel surfaces was reduced.Self-cleanable food-contact surfaces prevent bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation.Abstract. Bacterial attachment on solid surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation is a significant problem in the food industry. Superhydrophobic surfaces have potential to prevent bacterial adhesion by minimizing the contact area between bacterial cells and the 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 was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stainless steel surfaces etched at 10 V for 5 min and at 10 V for 10 min with PTFE deposition resulted in average water contact angles of 154° ±4° with pore diameters of 50 nm. In addition, adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes was decreased by up to 99% compared to the bare substrate. These findings demonstrate the potential for the development of antibacterial surfaces by combining nanoporous patterns with PTFE films. Keywords: Electrochemical etching, PTFE, Nanoengineered surface, L. monocytogenes, Superhydrophobic.