Polymers: scientists hope to use natural plant extracts such as tea tree oil to resist bacterial infection

Recently, in a research report published in the international journal polymers, scientists from James Cook University have developed a new technology, which can use natural plant extracts such as tea tree oil as the coating of medical devices, and this process can effectively inhibit millions of infections every year Photo source: doctorsealthpress.com in the United States alone has about 17 million new biofilm related bacterial infections every year, which will cause about 550000 deaths About 80% of surgical related infections in the world are related to bacterial biofilm In this study, we were able to convert plant-based products (PSMS, secondary metabolites) into polymer packages on the surface of medical devices, including some implants, said researcher Mohan Jacob PSMS are derived from essential oils and herbal extracts, which have relatively strong broad-spectrum antibacterial activity Moreover, they are commercial renewable resources with limited toxicity Compared with synthetic antibiotics, PSMS also have different molecular mechanisms of resistance to bacterial infection This research can help to solve some persistent problems, that is, how to transform the plant extracts from liquid state into solid state to be used as the coating of medical devices, without significantly reducing its effect Dr Katia bazaka, the researcher, said that we can use plasma enhanced technology in a reactor containing essential oil steam When the steam is exposed to glow discharge, they will be converted into solid bioactive coating and attached to the surface of the implant, which has also been proved to have good antibacterial properties The main advantage of this method is that researchers will not use other chemicals such as solvents in the manufacturing process, so there is no potentially harmful toxic chemicals in the coating of medical devices, and it will not damage the surface of the coating material, at the same time, it is more environmentally friendly in the use process Recently, researchers have extended this research to target marine organisms, so as to inhibit the growth of biofilm on aquatic sensors and subsequent efficacy failure Another major feature of these coatings is their optical transparency, for example, they can also cover contact lenses and promote the function of underwater sensors.