Natural products to control biofilm on painted surfaces
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study five vegetables extracts as possible additives to control bacterial growth on indoor waterborne paints. The extracts were obtained from the weeds Raphanus sativus, Rapistrum rugosum, Sinapis arvensis, Nicotiana longiflora and Dipsacus fullonum, used in traditional medicine as antimicrobial compounds.
Design/methodology/approach
Weeds extracts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was also determined. Afterward, selected extracts were incorporated in waterborne paint formulations. The paints’ antimicrobial activity was assessed against S. aureus, monitoring biofilm formation by environmental scanning electron microscopy.
Findings
As a general rule, results showed that tested paints were efficient in inhibiting biofilm formation, especially that formulated with Nicotiana longiflora.
Practical implications
The tested paints can be used to protect walls from microbial colonization, which shortened coatings’ useful life by discoloration and/or degradation. Concomitantly, indoor microbial colonization by aerosols could be also diminished. This is especially important in places that should have high standards of environmental hygiene, as in the food industry, health-care and sanitary centers.
Originality/value
The main value of this research was to study the antimicrobial activity of weeds extracts and to incorporate them in waterborne paints to diminish bacterial biofilm formation. This biofilm discolors and degrades the paint, and causes health problems. The use of natural compounds in coatings is increasing because of the convenience of using renewable sources, such as natural antimicrobials, in paint formulations.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata and Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires for their sponsorship to do this research. The authors also wish to thank Dr Teresa Del Panno for her technical assistance.
Citation
Bogdan, S., Deya, C., Micheloni, O., Bellotti, N. and Romagnoli, R. (2018), "Natural products to control biofilm on painted surfaces", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 47 No. 2, pp. 180-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-01-2017-0004
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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