AC Electromagnetic Field Controls the Biofilms on the Glass Surface by Escherichia coli & Staphylococcus epidermidis Inhibition Effect

Abstract

Biofilms, mainly comprised of bacteria, form on materials’ surfaces due to bacterial activity. They are generally composed of water, extracellular polymeric substances (polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids), and bacteria. Some bacteria that form biofilms cause periodontal disease, corrosion of the metal materials that make up drains, and slippage. Inside of a biofilm is an environment conducive to the growth and propagation of bacteria. Problems with biofilms include the inability of disinfectants and antibiotics to act on them. Therefore, we have investigated the potential application of alternating electromagnetic fields for biofilm control. We obtained exciting results using various materials’ specimens and frequency conditions. Through these studies, we gradually understood that the combination of the type of bacteria, the kind of material, and the application of an electromagnetic field with various low frequencies (4 kHz–12 kHz) changes the circumstances of the onset of the biofilm suppression effect. In this study, relatively high frequencies (20 and 30 kHz) were applied to biofilms caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), and quantitative evaluation was performed using staining methods. The sample surfaces were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy using a Laser Raman spectrometer to confirm the presence of biofilms on the surface.