The health risks posed by one type of superbug—a bacterial strain resistant to antibiotics—might be Illustration of bacteria (purple) being compromised by a chitosan-metal organic framework film. Image credit: Colorado State University/Advanced Functional Materialsmitigated by a new material that inhibits biofilm formation.

The material developed at Colorado State University targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a copper-based metal-organic framework that’s stable in water. The framework is embedded within a matrix of chitosan, which is widely used as a wound dressing and hemostatic agent.

The inherent properties of the material keep a bacterial film from forming in the first place. Laboratory tests demonstrated an 85 percent reduction in P. aeruginosa biofilm adhesion. The antibacterial films elicit the same inhibitory effect after a second round of experiments, suggesting reusability of the materials.

The researchers say the new biomaterial could form new avenues for antibacterial surfaces. For example, it could be used for a wound dressing that, instead of gauze, would be made of the chitosan matrix.