Russian scientists from NUST MISIS, together with colleagues from the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, have developed an antibacterial coating for medical implants based on boron nitride nanoparticles combined with nanoparticles of metallized silver or iron oxide.

The innovative coating is able to ensure the almost complete destruction of microbial and fungal pathogens, RT was told in the press service of the university.

The results of the study are published in the journal Applied Surface Science.

The work was carried out as part of a project of the Russian Science Foundation and the Priority 2030 program.

NUST MISIS scientists have been working on the creation of antibacterial coatings for implants for a long time.

In 2020, RT reported on the development of a coating, where the main bactericidal agents were boron nitride nanoparticles and antibiotics, with which scientists saturated the micropores of the bactericidal film.

The technology made it possible to achieve a therapeutic effect even with a 100 times lower dosage of the antibiotic compared to conventional injections.

However, the developers decided to create a bactericidal coating based solely on metal nanoparticles, without the use of medicinal antibiotics.

The researchers remind that as the number of surgical operations in the world increases, so does the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.

In addition, the use of high doses of antibiotics for the treatment of inflammation around implants is sometimes difficult for patients to tolerate.

A new coating for implants, developed by Russian scientists, has a bactericidal effect due to a triple effect.

  • Co-author of the study, an employee of the laboratory "Inorganic nanomaterials" NUST "MISIS" Kristina Gudz examines a sample of the obtained material

  • © NUST MISIS Press Service

Boron nitride nanoparticles have a unique spherical shape with an acicular surface that allows them to damage and rupture the membrane of bacterial cells upon physical contact with them.

In addition, such damage releases metal ions - iron or silver, and also leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species.

Free radicals actively damage the walls of microorganisms, causing their death.

As part of the experiments, 100% of the studied bacterial strains, as well as the Candida parapsilosis fungus, died within a day as a result of contact with the innovative coating.

“Our studies have shown that at a minimum inhibitory (suppressive.

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RT

) concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles (74 μg / cm²) effectively inhibit the growth of gram-negative E. coli bacteria, as well as Staphylococcus aureus and pneumococci already within the first three hours.

Coatings with silver at a minimum concentration of 12 μg/s completely inactivate bacteria,” said Christina Gudz, one of the authors of the study, an employee of the Inorganic Nanomaterials Laboratory at NUST MISIS.

The researchers have already conducted experiments in the laboratory and proved that the new coating is non-toxic and safe for humans.

Experts plan to conduct research on strains of particularly dangerous viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2.

According to scientists, in the future, coatings can be used not only for implants - they can be used to create dressings for traumatology and surgery.