Non-fouling properties of polysaccharide-coated surfaces

Hyaluronic acid and alginic acid, examples of hydrophilic polysaccharides whose biological and technological properties are deeply related to strong interaction with water, have been coupled to substrate surfaces. These coatings can prevent mammalian cells adhesion and greatly reduce bacterial cells adhesion in vitro and in several in vivo applications. The anti-adhesive properties of these surfaces are discussed in terms of the surface fractional coverage by the polysaccharide, as evaluated by XPS analysis and water contact angle. The implications of chemical-molecular considerations to the properties of these coatings are discussed from an analytical and mechanistic point of view.