(505b) Preparation and Validation of a Biopolymer-Based Coating on Titanium Prosthesis for Preventing Infection in Orthopedics Implants

The use of orthopedic implants for fracture repairing have significantly increased over the last decades. However, one of the main limitations for this bone replacement procedure is the infection that can be caused for including a new material in the human body. This fact can provoke different diseases that can end up in additional surgeries. In order to overcome this drawback, this work proposes the development of a coating based on a fructose biopolymer (levan) that prevents microorganism adhesion and proliferation, and therefore, it enlarges the useful life of the implant in the patient’s body.

Levan biopolymer is able to coat the titanium implant and it creates a hyperosmotic environment, causing the pathogen dehydration and controlling as a consequence microorganism growth. The coating is performed simultaneously to the levan synthesis by using a cell-free system (using levansucrase as enzyme and sucrose as substrate). Therefore, levan is synthesized around the titanium support, creating a homogenous surface that covers all the implant.

The developed material was characterized by infrared (FTIR), by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the coating surface and by electrochemical studies to analyze the bio-corrosion phenomena. Results showed that the polymer was properly distributed on the surface without being corroded.

Finally, its effect on controlling bacteria population was studied by exposing the implant to a concentrated solution of Staphylococcus strains, highlighting that the material provided a great material antimicrobial effect. These experiments showed that this material can be used to improve current procedures for fracture repairing.