Effective inactivation of Candida albicans biofilms by using supercritical carbon dioxide

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2015 Sep;38(9):1731-7. doi: 10.1007/s00449-015-1414-7. Epub 2015 Jun 25.

Abstract

Present sterilization methods for biofilms in medical devices have limitations. Therefore, an alternative sterilization method using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was tested on Candida albicans biofilms. The effect of varying pressure, temperature, and treatment time on the inactivation of C. albicans spores in suspensions and in biofilms was examined. The parameters such as treatment time, pressure, and temperature that led to the complete inactivation of C. albicans biofilms ranged 5-20 min, 100-200 bar, and 35-45 °C, respectively. Notably, treatment of SC-CO2 at either 100 bar and 40 °C or 200 bar and 30 °C induced complete inactivation of spores within 5 min. Furthermore, it was found that wet biofilms (0.4 %, w/w) had higher sensitivity to SC-CO2 than dried biofilms. Finally, spore inactivation was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In this study, the use of a low-temperature SC-CO2 sterilization method was proven to be effective in fungal biofilm inactivation, and the moisture content of biofilms was revealed to be the key factor for biofilm inactivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Materials Testing
  • Pressure
  • Sterilization / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents