Nanostarch-Functionalized PDMS Membranes Inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm via Topographical Interference and Metabolic Perturbation.

Bacterial biofilms pose persistent public health challenges, and although surface modification is a promising anti-biofilm strategy, environmentally friendly approaches remain limited. Here, we report a nanostarch-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (NS-PDMS) membrane with potent anti-biofilm efficacy arising from physical topographical interference coupled with metabolism-associated adaptation in surface-attached bacteria. Corn-derived starch nanoparticles (∼200 nm), produced via tunable antisolvent precipitation, were thermally deposited onto PDMS, forming an interwoven porous topography that physically impedes Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 adhesion. This microporous architecture enhances surface hydrophilicity and adsorption of extracellular metabolites. Transcriptomic analysis revealed pronounced metabolic disruption in surface-attached cells, particularly in denitrification, leading to impaired proton motive force generation and ATP production. In a CAUTI model, NS-PDMS resisted P. aeruginosa colonization and alleviated bladder inflammation. Biofilms on NS-PDMS showed enhanced chlorine susceptibility, achieving ∼96% viability reduction. This work presents a sustainable nanostarch-based anti-biofilm strategy with broad healthcare and food-processing potential.