---
title: Prevent Biofouling By Following These 3 Steps
description: Learn how bioinert Dursan contributes to prevention of non-specific protein adsorption in biomedical devices.
---

[SilcoTek Coating Blog ](https://www.silcotek.com/blog)

# [Prevent Biofouling By Following These 3 Steps](https://www.silcotek.com/blog/prevent-biofouling-by-following-these-3-steps)

 Written by [Dr. Min Yuan](https://www.silcotek.com/blog/author/dr-min-yuan) | July 24 2015

Prevention of non-specific protein adsorption is highly desirable in many fields including food, marine and medical industries.  Biofouling or protein adsorption can be a significant issue in medical sampling systems, causing false positive readings due to protein carryover.  No one wants to be told they have a serious illness when in fact the test system recorded a false positive due to protein carryover.

 

|  | There are a limited number of materials that are effective in preventing protein adsorption (non-specific protein binding), even fewer can withstand the abrasion and exposure to corrosive cleaners associated with biomedical autosampling systems. |
| --- | --- |

Fortunately biofouling in biotech applications can be prevented by following these 3 precautionary measures:

1. **Pre-exposure:** prevent non-specific adsorption by modifying the surface chemistry with a bioinert coating. 
2. **During-exposure:** change the solution properties (such as pH, ionic strength) by using excipients such as ionic or non-ionic surfactants to alter electrostatic as well as hydrophobic interactions.
3. **Post-exposure:** use wash/rinse solutions containing caustic chemicals.

These measures on its own cannot provide a universal fix to the biofouling problem, but various combinations of these three are effective in preventing biofouling and protein carryover.

## Bioinert Dursan® Helps to Reduce Carryover

Combining robust [bioinert Dursan®](https://www.silcotek.com/dursan/medical) coating and a non-ionic surfactant in the wash buffer is an example of a step forward in preventing biofouling; specifically in the case of automated assay analyzers, reagent manufacturing, and filling setups.  Dursan significantly reduces carryover compared to conventional PEG coatings.

Dursan coating is physically [more robust](https://www.silcotek.com/durability-coating-solutions) than liquid-based coatings or PEEK while being naturally inert.

 Dursan's[ hydrophobic](https://www.silcotek.com/hydrophobicity-moisture-resistant-solutions), low surface energy resists sticking of proteins from tissues, blood and other media.

Dursan® is a layer of elemental silicon, oxygen, and carbon that binds molecularly to the base substrate of glass, ceramics, stainless steels and other alloys.  Applied via [chemical vapor deposition (CVD)](https://www.silcotek.com/silcotek-coating-process), the coating is extremely thin - less than 2µm - and will penetrate even the smallest holes and most complex geometries.

## Treat the entire analytical flowpath

Dursan® is a common treatment for a variety of bio-analytical componentry like:

| - Needles and probes - Biosensors - Diagnostic equipment flow paths - Auto sampling systems - Biomedical devices - Biosensors - Tissue engineering components - Liquid chromatography |  |
| --- | --- |

 

[View full post](https://www.silcotek.com/blog/prevent-biofouling-by-following-these-3-steps)

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