Biofilm challenge testing of SunWash self-cleaning coatings

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There are an estimated 4 million cases of foodborne illness cases in Canada each year leading to detrimental effects on the health of the population along with direct and indirect economic losses. Many of the high profile outbreaks that have occurred can be traced to the formation of biofilms of pathogens alone or in combination of non-pathogens. Biofilms are aggregates of microbial cells that exist within a protective matrix that can resist standard sanitation methods thereby representing a continuous source of contamination. Once formed biofilms are difficult or near impossible to remove and remains a persistent problem to the food industry. In the proposed project the efficacy of novel coatings based on titanium dioxide coatings that can both prevent or remove pre-existing biofilms of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Titanium dioxide is a material that generates antimicrobial radicals when activated with light or oxidizing agents. Although titanium dioxide is a well established antimicrobial agent there have been challenges in incorporating into coatings due to leaching effects. However, SunWash have developed a range of stable coatings based on titanium dioxide that can be applied to a range of surfaces encountered from stainless steel to concrete. However, the ability of coatings to control biofilms encountered in the food industry and stability to repeated sanitation have yet to be demonstrated. Such knowledge gaps represents a barrier to implementation in the food sector and further development of antimicrobial coatings. The proposed project will address existing knowledge gaps and build a foundation for future coating development.