Antibacterial and Biofilm-Disrupting Coatings from Resin Acid-Derived Materials

We report antibacterial, antibiofilm, and biocompatible properties of surface-immobilized, quaternary ammonium-containing, resin acid-derived compounds and polycations that are known to be efficient antimicrobial agents with minimum toxicities to mammalian cells. Surface immobilization was carried out by the employment of two robust, efficient chemical methods: Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition click reaction, and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli were strong. Hemolysis assays and the growth of human dermal fibroblasts on the modified surfaces evidenced their biocompatibility. We demonstrate that the grafting of quaternary ammonium-decorated abietic acid compounds and polymers from surfaces enables the incorporation of renewable biomass in an effective manner to combat bacteria and biofilm formation in biomedical applications.