Biofilms in Nature and Artificial Materials

This chapter presents various substrates and their capabilities for biofilm formation, taking into account influential factors like van der Waals forces, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, the presence of polar side chains on polymers, and more. It includes information about natural substrates such as roots of plants and rocks (which are slimy in rivers when covered with biofilm). Also the artificial substrates of metals, ceramics, and polymers are described in terms of their interaction with bacteria and the formation/control of biofilms. Studies have been carried out with ceramic materials used in dentistry. The results showed that the greater the surface roughness in crowns, etc. the greater the accumulation of biofilm (called plaque in its hardened form). As for metals, silver has an antibacterial action that depends on the silver ion. It interrupts the ability of a bacterial cell to form chemical bonds that are necessary for survival.