Crataegus azarolus-Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Functionalized Silicone Elastomer: Antibiofilm Activity Against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Potential for Urinary Catheter Applications

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, and up to 80% of these are linked to urinary catheters. The biofilm formation of uropathogenic E. coli plays a critical role in the development of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). This study aimed to develop a silicone elastomer material incorporating green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles for potential urinary catheter applications and assess its antibiofilm efficacy against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). E. coli was identified by the BD Phoenix^TM system and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. ZnO NPs were synthesized through a green method using Crataegus azarolus leaf extract as a biological reducing and stabilizing agent. NPs were incorporated into a silicone matrix at different concentrations (0 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt% and 1.5 wt%) to produce ZnO-functionalized silicone elastomer specimens for potential urinary catheter applications, and then their antibiofilm activity was assessed through a 96-well microtiter assay. NPs and nanocomposites were characterized through various spectroscopic techniques using XRD, FTIR, and FESEM. In the 1.5 wt% ZnO NPs–silicone elastomer specimen, biofilm formation by E. coli ATCC 25922 and the clinical isolate were significantly reduced by 86.94% and 78.40%, respectively, compared to the control silicone elastomer specimen for potential urinary catheter application. The present findings suggest that green synthesized ZnO NPs provide a promising and biocompatible approach to reducing UPEC biofilm formation when incorporated into silicone elastomer specimens for urinary catheter application. Furthermore, this method may help reduce CAUTIs in clinical settings.