Effect of Femtosecond Laser-Irradiated Titanium Plates on Enhanced Antibacterial Activity and Preservation of Bacteriophage Stability
Liga Grase,
Pavels Onufrijevs,
Dace Rezevska,
Karlis Racenis,
Ingus Skadins,
Jonas Karosas,
Paulius Gecys,
Mairis Iesalnieks,
Arturs Pludons,
Juta Kroica,
Gediminas Raciukaitis
Affiliations
Liga Grase
Institute of Materials and Surface Engineering, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, 7 Paula Valdena Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Pavels Onufrijevs
Institute of Technical Physics, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, 7 Paula Valdena Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Dace Rezevska
Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Karlis Racenis
Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Ingus Skadins
Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Jonas Karosas
Department of Laser Technologies, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanoriu Ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Paulius Gecys
Department of Laser Technologies, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanoriu Ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Mairis Iesalnieks
Institute of Materials and Surface Engineering, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, 7 Paula Valdena Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Arturs Pludons
Institute of Materials and Surface Engineering, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, 7 Paula Valdena Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Juta Kroica
Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Gediminas Raciukaitis
Department of Laser Technologies, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanoriu Ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Titanium (Ti) is widely recognized for its exceptional properties and compatibility with medical applications. In our study, we successfully formed laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on Ti plates with a periodicity of 520–740 nm and a height range of 150–250 nm. To investigate the morphology and chemical composition of these surfaces, we employed various techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, we utilized a drop-shape analyzer to determine the wetting properties of the surfaces. To evaluate the antibacterial activity, we followed the ISO 22196:2011 standard, utilizing reference bacterial cultures of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). The results revealed enhanced antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus by more than 99% and Escherichia coli by more than 80% in comparison with non-irradiated Ti. Furthermore, we conducted experiments using the Escherichia coli bacteriophage T4 (ATCC 11303-B4) and the bacterial host Escherichia coli (ATCC 11303) to investigate the impact of Ti plates on the stability of the bacteriophage. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of LIPSS on Ti plates for achieving enhanced antibacterial activity against common bacterial strains while maintaining the stability of bacteriophages.
