Flowers will save the world from antibiotic-resistant microbes

Scientists from MIPT, TSTU and IBG UFIC RAS have studied the relationship between the surface structure of flower petals and their resistance to colonization by microorganisms. They found out that applying a relief pattern to polymer materials that repeats the structure of the plant surface is an advanced and effective method of protection against microbes that does not require the use of antibiotics.

The researchers selected polydimethylsiloxane, a polymer commonly known as silicone, and four flowers: a rose, chamomile, pansies, and magnolia.

"We have carefully studied the relationship between the surface structure of flower petals and their resistance to colonization by microorganisms. This allowed us to develop an algorithm for predicting the antibacterial properties of synthetic materials whose surface mimics plant tissues," Maria Barshutina, senior researcher at the Laboratory of Controlled Optical Nanostructures at MIPT, explained to Izvestia.

The obtained samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy, which makes it possible to obtain an image of the surface when an electron beam is reflected from it.

Applying a relief pattern to polymer materials that repeats the structure of the plant surface is a promising method of protection against microbes that does not require the use of antibiotics, the scientists concluded. The main advantage is that it is easy to implement and easily scales to an industrial scale. The results obtained can be used for the production of polymer medical products with an antibacterial coating.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Heal, petal: flowers will save the world from antibiotic-resistant bacteria