Effect of the Extrusion Process on the Bactericidal Performance of Biocidal Polypropylene Catheters

This work concerns polypropylene biocidal catheters that incorporate the triclosan molecule. Many studies have applied triclosan as a bactericidal agent in the polymeric matrix but without considering the effect of processing on the biocidal properties. Using the optimal temperature and shear rate during the extrusion process can promote the best microbiological response for a biocidal catheter. Catheters were processed using a linear extruder while systematically varying the triclosan content, processing temperature and screw velocity. A diffusion test in agar and an evaluation of the chemical structure of the polypropylene and triclosan using FTIR were used to characterize the bactericidal properties.