Bacteria-responsive functional electrospun membrane: Simultaneous on-site visualized monitoring and inhibition of bacterial infection

Abstract

Skin infections are major threat to human health. Early diagnosis of bacterial infections is of great significance for implementing protective measures on the skin. Therefore, in this study, we designed an electrospinning membrane (PPBT) for visual monitoring of colonized bacteria and responsive antibacterial ability. Specifically, the acidity of the microenvironment caused by bacterial metabolism was applied to drive the color change of bromothymol blue (BTB) on PPBT membrane from green to yellow, thereby facilitating the early warning of infection degree and timely treating. Within 4 h, different concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus (~105), Escherichia coli (~105), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (~105) and Candida albicans (~104) were visually monitored. On the other hand, as the local acidity was enhanced by microbial metabolism, the ZIF-8 nanoparticles loaded with TCS (TCS@ZIF-8) on PPBT membrane could release TCS in an acid-responsive manner. At the same time, ROS was generated under 405 nm to achieve synergistic antibacterial ability. Experiments confirmed the PPBT membrane with ideal and controllable antibacterial features based on acid response release and photocatalytic synergistic antibacterial mechanism after monitoring. Therefore, the PPBT membrane developed in this work provides a feasible solution for bacterial monitoring and inactivation devices. More importantly, it can meet the needs of clinical diagnosis and timely treatment of bacterial infection.