Characterization and activity of an immobilized antimicrobial peptide containing bactericidal PEG-hydrogel.

A single step immobilization-polymerization strategy of a highly active antimicrobial peptide into a soft hydrogel network on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) surface using thiol-ene chemistry is described. The bactericidal hydrogel was molecularly characterized via Coomassie and Lowry assay protein staining agents as well as by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The bactericidal activity was established against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, two bacterial strains commonly associated with biomaterial infections. To gain further insight into the biological stability, the hydrogels were incubated with human serum prior to activity testing without loss of activity. These studies revealed a promising bactericidal hydrogel with good stability under physiological conditions.