Reviewed by Lexie CornerFeb 26 2025
Researchers from the Hopkirk Research Institute, New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, and Applied Technologies Group in New Zealand have developed surfaces for meat processing that prevent bacteria from attaching, eliminating the need to constantly combat bacterial buildup.
Inspired by the naturally antimicrobial textures of cicada wings and shark skin, micro- and nanoscale textures at the scale of bacterial cells make it difficult for bacteria to attach. They also change the water-repellent properties of the surface, a key factor for bacterial growth. Image Credit: Sebastiampillai Raymond.
Maintaining clean work surfaces during meat processing is difficult, as bacteria from meat can attach, grow, and form biofilms that are hard to remove, even from stainless steel. These bacteria can cluster into resilient, invisible groups that are stronger than individual cells, making them resistant to food-grade antibacterial cleaners.
Antimicrobial interventions currently approved and used commercially have a limited capacity to reduce well-established bacterial biofilms and spores, and complete decontamination is rarely achieved.
Sebastiampillai Raymond, Callaghan Innovation
Raymond and his team used lasers to etch and modify metal surfaces, creating micro- or nanoscale textures that prevent microbial attachment. This technique, known as laser-induced surface texturing, also alters the metal's water-repellent properties, which are key in bacterial growth.
Laser-textured surfaces possess antibacterial properties because they physically disrupt bacterial adhesion, growth, and proliferation. These nanoscale and microscale surface textures mimic natural antimicrobial surfaces, such as those found on cicada wings and shark skin.
Sebastiampillai Raymond, Callaghan Innovation
The researchers found that laser texturing is highly effective for controlling and customizing metal surface textures. By designing textures that match bacterial cell shapes, they can make it much harder for different bacteria to attach. They are also developing machine learning models to help manufacturers optimize and automate the laser surface texturing process.
“Compared to some conventional approaches, laser surface texturing does not introduce non-native materials or require chemical etchants or sensitizers on treated surfaces. This could lower barriers to introducing new technology into a regulated environment and eliminates any risk of potential chemical contamination from the coating,” Raymond concludes.
Journal Reference:
Soni, A., et al. (2025) Antibacterial effectiveness of laser surface textured metal on meat-borne bacteria. Journal of Laser Applications. doi.org/10.2351/7.0001535.