Hot-melt extrusion of photodynamic antimicrobial polymers for prevention of microbial contamination

Infectious disease outbreaks within healthcare facilities can exacerbate patient illness and, in some cases, be fatal. Contaminated surfaces and medical devices act as a reservoir for transmission of pathogens have been linked to the rising incidence healthcare-acquired infections. Antimicrobial reduce microbial contamination emerged crucial component infection control recent years. The aim this study was manufacture antimicrobial polymer containing photosensitiser, toluidine blue O (TBO), using hot-melt extrusion (HME). Several concentrations TBO were combined with range medically relevant polymers via HME. TBO-polymer extrudates displayed no significant differences thermal properties surface wettability relative non-loaded polymers. Minimal leaching from confirmed through vitro release studies. Antibacterial activity observed vary according concentration incorporated TBO, PEBAX® modified 0.1% w/w demonstrating promising reductions >99.9% viable bacterial adherence common nosocomial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, epidermidis, Acinetobacter baumannii Escherichia coli. This demonstrates use HME facile alternative method encapsulation strategies production light-activated surfaces. easily translated large-scale addition, constitute base materials rapidly growing additive manufacturing industries.