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Superhydrophobic Fatty Acid-Based Spray Coatings with Dual-Mode Antifungal Activity

Summary

Researchers developed special water-repellent coatings made from natural fatty acids that can prevent fungal infections. These coatings work in two ways: they physically prevent fungi from sticking to surfaces through their bumpy structure, and they chemically kill fungi that do land on them. The coatings can be easily sprayed on like paint and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional antifungal treatments that are becoming less effective.

Background

Superhydrophobic surfaces inspired by natural phenomena exhibit water repellency and self-cleaning properties through a combination of surface chemistry and hierarchical micro-nanoscale roughness. Fungal infections are becoming increasingly prevalent due to global warming and resistance to conventional fungicides. Fatty acids are natural, nontoxic compounds with documented antimicrobial properties that can be applied as spray coatings.

Objective

To develop easy-to-apply, sprayable superhydrophobic coatings based on long-chain and medium-chain fatty acids and evaluate how incorporating sorbic or caprylic acids enhances antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. The study investigates the effect of different fatty acid compositions on coating structure, physical properties, stability, and antifungal efficacy.

Results

Coatings exhibited tunable antifungal activity ranging from passive inhibition with pure stearic acid (>60% growth reduction) to complete fungal eradication with 10% caprylic acid addition. Caprylic acid addition initially reduced superhydrophobicity but eventually recovered through surface release. Sorbic acid coatings maintained superhydrophobic properties while significantly inhibiting fungal growth through both contact inhibition and chemical activity.

Conclusion

The synergistic effect of hierarchical superhydrophobic structure and medium-chain fatty acids enables tunable dual-mode antifungal activity, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional fungicides. These coatings effectively resist fungal infections through combined passive biofilm prevention and active biocidal mechanisms, supporting environmentally friendly surface protection strategies.
  • Published in:ACS Applied Bio Materials,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMC12284891, PMID: 40490924, DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.5c00596
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