Antifungal Activity of Electrochemically Etched Nanotextured Stainless Steel against <i>Candida albicans</i> and <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> Fungal Cells

Fungal adhesion to stainless steel, an alloy commonly used in the food and beverage sectors, public and healthcare settings, and numerous medical devices, can give rise to serious infections, ultimately leading to morbidity, mortality, and significant healthcare expenses. In this study, we demonstrate that nanotextured stainless steel (nSS) fabricated using an electrochemical technique is an antibiotic-free biocidal surface against Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum fungal cells with 98% and 97% reduction, respectively. The nanoprotrusion features on nSS can have both physical contact with cell membranes and a chemical impact on cells through the production of reactive species; this material should not contribute to drug-resistant fungus as antibiotics can. As nSS is also antibacterial and compatible with mammalian cells, the demonstration of antifungal activity gives nSS the potential to be used to create effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions to broadly and responsibly prevent fungal and other microbial infections caused by surface contamination.