Dec 10 2012
Arch Biopartners Inc today announced that Arch scientists have reported results of a recent study involving Arch peptides and the role they play in reducing initial biofilm formation and surface corrosion on stainless steel.
Arch scientists Randall Irvin, Dong Yang Li, Daniel Muruve and Elisabeth Davis have published the details of their findings in the journal Acta Biomaterialia.
Bacterial colonization of surfaces results in what has been termed "biofilm formation". Biofilm formation on solid surfaces is a significant contamination issue in many areas including the medical industry, the food industry and water pipelines.
The new data collected by the Arch scientists demonstrates that the synthetic Arch peptides have been adapted to easily modify surfaces to significantly reduce the ability of pathogenic bacteria to bind to the modified surfaces. In particular, the Arch technology has been demonstrated to significantly decrease Listeria biofilm formation while reducing the rusting potential of the metal surfaces.
The publication titled "Evidence of Extensive Diversity in Bacterial Adherence Mechanisms that Exploit Unanticipated Stainless Steel Surface Structural Complexity for Biofilm Formation" by Davis, Li, D. Muruve and Irvin can be found under "Articles in Press" at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742706112005764 until it is assigned to a specific issue of the journal Acta Biomaterialia.
Bioorganic Stainless Steel
The reaction of the novel Arch peptides with the surface of the stainless steel results in a bioorganic metal hybrid Arch scientists have named "Bioorganic Stainless Steel" or "Borg stainless steel". Bioorganic stainless steel has a significantly increased electron work function that displays altered surface properties such as a ~ 40% increase in hardness and a ~ 50% decrease in corrosion compared with regular stainless steel. The Arch technology has applicability and similar results using other metals and alloys.
Increasing corrosion resistance and hardness of surfaces has potential applications in numerous industries where stainless steel and other metals are used, including industrial, life sciences and medical device sectors. Corrosion accounts for approximately 3 ~ 4% of global gross domestic product and Arch believes a peptide based anti-corrosion and anti-biofilm technology for stainless steel and other metals would be a major breakthrough in the reduction of corrosion and bacteria contamination within various industries. Arch's product development in this area is ongoing.
Source: http://www.archbiopartners.com