Role of physicochemical organization of Rhyothemis variegata wing in monitoring bactericidal activity

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance has become a global threat due to the high mutation rate in genetic materials of the different bacterial strains. To solve this problem antibacterial surface of the insect wing is emerging as a novel material for the development of nanostructured materials for medical devices. The biochemical interaction between the bacteria and the nanostructure of the wing leads to the adherence of bacteria at the surface followed by its death. Bactericidal activity is caused by cell deformation or cell membrane damage at the surface of the wing. The roughness of the surface, nano-architecture, and chemical organization all are crucial factors that prevent bacterial colonization at the surface of the wing. The nanostructure present on the surface of the wing exerts the physico-mechanical force to the bacterial cell membrane. Change in the morphology of bacteria was observed under the scanning electron microscope and cell death was confirmed by DAPI/PI staining followed by visualization under a confocal microscope. This work attempted to establish the correlation between nanostructure and bactericidal activity of the surface of the wing. This work also put some light on the chemical organization of the Rhyothemis variegata wing that has a relation with the bactericidal activity. Chemical organization of wing and surface topography both factor synergistically regulate the bacterial death that is examined under different microscopy. This work gives a basic idea about designing multifunctional surfaces by mimicking the surface of the wing for medical application.