Preventing Protein Adsorption from a Range of Surfaces Using an Aqueous Fish Protein Extract

We utilize an aqueous extract of fish proteins (FPs) as a coating for minimizing the adsorption of fibrinogen (Fg) and human serum albumin (HSA). The surfaces include stainless steel (SS), gold (Au), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and poly(styrene) (PS). The adsorption processes (kinetics and adsorbed mass) are followed by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D).

Complementary surface information is provided by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). QCM-D shows no mass increases to any of the FP-coated surfaces upon treating with Fg or HSA. Also, when Fg- or HSA-coated surfaces are exposed to the FPs, a significant increase in adsorbed mass occurs because the FPs are highly surface-active displacing Fg.

Additionally, fluorescence microscopy confirms that very little Fg adsorbs to the FP-coated surfaces. We propose that FP coatings prevent protein adsorption by steric stabilization and could be an alternative method for preventing unwanted bioadhesion on medical materials.