The Effect of Pyroligneous Acid on Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Formation on High-Density Polyethylene Surfaces

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine if pyroligneous acid (PA) can effectively inhibit S. epidermidis biofilm formation on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) surface to determine natural, alternative treatment methods for biofilm-related infections associated with medical implant devices. It was hypothesized that as the concentration of PA was increased, the inhibition of biofilm formation would increase based on previous studies showcasing the effectiveness of PA and other phenolic-rich natural compounds (Yang et al., 2016; Minich et al., 2022; Zou et al., 2019). In this study, HDPE cubes were exposed to S. epidermidis cultures treated with solutions of different PA concentrations. Biofilm biomass was quantified using crystal violet staining and measuring absorbance (AU) using a spectrophotometer. The results suggest that PA exhibits a concentration-dependent inhibition of S. epidermidis biofilm formation on HDPE surfaces (F (3,116) = 14.05, p<0.001), as the 2% PA concentration was the only group which was statistically different from the control (Tukey Stats). These results suggest that PA has the potential to be used in clinical settings to treat biofilm-related infections on medical devices based on its effectiveness in disrupting biofilm formation and antimicrobial activity. This study highlights the necessity of discovering alternatives that exhibit antimicrobial activity and promote environmental sustainability, as well as offers a promising approach to treat biofilm-related infections while accounting for both factors. Further research is necessary to confirm results and minimize variability in the procedures, as well as to test PA’s effects against other bacteria and on other materials.

Location

Furman Hall 207

Start Date

3-28-2026 10:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 10:45 AM

The Effect of Pyroligneous Acid on Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Formation on High-Density Polyethylene Surfaces

Furman Hall 207

The purpose of the study is to determine if pyroligneous acid (PA) can effectively inhibit S. epidermidis biofilm formation on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) surface to determine natural, alternative treatment methods for biofilm-related infections associated with medical implant devices. It was hypothesized that as the concentration of PA was increased, the inhibition of biofilm formation would increase based on previous studies showcasing the effectiveness of PA and other phenolic-rich natural compounds (Yang et al., 2016; Minich et al., 2022; Zou et al., 2019). In this study, HDPE cubes were exposed to S. epidermidis cultures treated with solutions of different PA concentrations. Biofilm biomass was quantified using crystal violet staining and measuring absorbance (AU) using a spectrophotometer. The results suggest that PA exhibits a concentration-dependent inhibition of S. epidermidis biofilm formation on HDPE surfaces (F (3,116) = 14.05, p<0.001), as the 2% PA concentration was the only group which was statistically different from the control (Tukey Stats). These results suggest that PA has the potential to be used in clinical settings to treat biofilm-related infections on medical devices based on its effectiveness in disrupting biofilm formation and antimicrobial activity. This study highlights the necessity of discovering alternatives that exhibit antimicrobial activity and promote environmental sustainability, as well as offers a promising approach to treat biofilm-related infections while accounting for both factors. Further research is necessary to confirm results and minimize variability in the procedures, as well as to test PA’s effects against other bacteria and on other materials.