A new family of biocompatible biocide glasses free of P2O5

Resumen del trabajo presentado al EMN (Energy Materials and Nanotechnology) Meeting on Biomaterials, celebrado en Milán (Italia) del 14 al 18 de agosto de 2017.Nowadays, there is a great concern regarding diseases, infections, corrosion and biocontamination caused by microorganisms. The adhesion and proliferation of bacteria on abiotic surfaces pose challenges related to human infection including subsequent formation of antibiotic-resistant biofilms in both healthcare and industrial applications. We present here a new generation of inorganic biocides based on: i) soda-lime glass /glass-ceramic biomaterials, belonging to the SiO2-Na2O-CaO-B2O3 system with a high content of calcium oxide (15 to 20 wt.%) and free of P2O5 (with a composition similar to that of conventional window glass) and, ii) ZnO enriched glasses belonging to B2O3-SiO2-Na2O-ZnO system. The antimicrobial activity of these family of glasses/glass-ceramics, clearly shows that these new biomaterials effectively diminish the growth (logarithm of reduction > 3) of bacteria (such as S. aureus, E. coli, S. epidermidis, M. lutea, and P. aeruginosa) as well as yeast (C. krusei). There are other well-known bioactive glasses with bactericidal properties, for instance the well-established 45S5 Bioglass®, but this glass has almost no activity against yeast. Yeast, in particular, is quite dangerous; it causes severe problems in hospitals due to its growth in catheters and resistance to multiple antibiotics. On the contrary, our new glasses/glass-ceramic exhibit a high biocide activity against C. krusei (logarithm of reduction > 5). Furthermore, these glasses/glass-ceramic inhibit adhesion and biofilm formation, a critical issue in several medical applications. On the other hand, the biocompatibility, bioactivity and antibacterial activity of these new glasses have been proved by in vivo tests, using them as coatings or implanted in the jaw of beagle dogs as rods. They also prevent periimplant diseases. These glasses/glass-ceramic (free of P2O5) can be fabricated as powders, dense bulk, scaffolds, as coatings or as fibers. This track record of performance has created a rich set of opportunities.Peer Reviewe