Synthesis of ferrocene/chitosan-AgNPs films and application in plasmonic color-switching and antimicrobial materials

A big challenge for today’s industry is antimicrobial preservation and the safety of food. An effective solution to this problem can be a modern invention such as antimicrobial packaging. In the presented research the antimicrobial activity of two new active films incorporating silver, as IONPURE IPL, and ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE) were evaluated, by employing a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix and a biofilm material, respectively. Additionally, LAE was also incorporated into polystyrene (PS) pads by two different methods: by spraying and by immersion of the PS pads into an aqueous LAE solution. LDPE films containing silver did not show any antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus, whereas the biofilm containing LAE reduced the growth of Salmonella enterica but did not inhibit Aspergillus flavus. The active PS pads, both sprayed and immersed in LAE solution, also showed antimicrobial activity, causing a reduction of 99.99% of Pseudomonas putida growth. Thermal treatment at 180 °C for 6 and 15 min did not modify the antimicrobial activity of LAE against Salmonella enterica. Moreover, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was performed to check the migration of silver from developed material intended for food packaging applications into food simulant.

Download Full-text

Protein-Engineered Polymers Functionalized with Antimicrobial Peptides for the Development of Active Surfaces

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11125352 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 5352

Author(s):

Ana Margarida Pereira ◽

Diana Gomes ◽

André da Costa ◽

Simoni Campos Dias ◽

Margarida Casal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Antimicrobial Peptides ◽

Recombinant Dna ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Recombinant Dna Technology ◽

Free Standing ◽

Microbial Cell Factories ◽

Cell Factories ◽

Antimicrobial Materials

Antibacterial resistance is a major worldwide threat due to the increasing number of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria with medical devices being a major source of these infections. This suggests the need for new antimicrobial biomaterial designs able to withstand the increasing pressure of antimicrobial resistance. Recombinant protein polymers (rPPs) are an emerging class of nature-inspired biopolymers with unique chemical, physical and biological properties. These polymers can be functionalized with antimicrobial molecules utilizing recombinant DNA technology and then produced in microbial cell factories. In this work, we report the functionalization of rPBPs based on elastin and silk-elastin with different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These polymers were produced in Escherichia coli, successfully purified by employing non-chromatographic processes, and used for the production of free-standing films. The antimicrobial activity of the materials was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and results showed that the polymers demonstrated antimicrobial activity, pointing out the potential of these biopolymers for the development of new advanced antimicrobial materials.

Download Full-text

Biodegradable Antimicrobial Films for Food Packaging: Effect of Antimicrobials on Degradation

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10061256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1256

Author(s):

Eva Hernández-García ◽

María Vargas ◽

Chelo González-Martínez ◽

Amparo Chiralt

Keyword(s):

Food Packaging ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Antimicrobial Compounds ◽

Microorganism Population ◽

Relevant Effect ◽

Antimicrobial Materials ◽

Spoilage Bacteria ◽

Compost Soil ◽

Specific Influence

The environmental problem generated by the massive consumption of plastics makes necessary the developing of biodegradable antimicrobial materials that can extend food shelf-life without having a negative impact on the environment. The current situation regarding the availability of biodegradable food packaging materials has been analysed, as well as different studies where antimicrobial compounds have been incorporated into the polymer matrix to control the growth of pathogenic or spoilage bacteria. Thus, the antimicrobial activity of active films based on different biodegradable polymers and antimicrobial compounds has been discussed. Likewise, relevant information on biodegradation studies carried out with different biopolymers in different environments (compost, soil, aquatic), and the effect of some antimicrobials on this behavior, are reviewed. In most of the studies, no relevant effect of the incorporated antimicrobials on the degradation of the polymer were observed, but some antimicrobials can delay the process. The changes in biodegradation pattern due to the presence of the antimicrobial are attributed to its influence on the microorganism population responsible for the process. More studies are required to know the specific influence of the antimicrobial compounds on the biodegradation behavior of polymers in different environments. No studies have been carried out or marine media to this end.

Download Full-text

Gold Nanoparticles Synthesis and Antimicrobial Effect on Fibrous Materials

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11051067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1067

Author(s):

Behnaz Mehravani ◽

Ana Isabel Ribeiro ◽

Andrea Zille

Keyword(s):

Gold Nanoparticles ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Antimicrobial Effect ◽

Environmental Concerns ◽

Fibrous Materials ◽

Barrier Material ◽

Future Studies ◽

Textile Materials ◽

Promising Strategy ◽

Antimicrobial Materials

Depositing nanoparticles in textiles have been a promising strategy to achieve multifunctional materials. Particularly, antimicrobial properties are highly valuable due to the emergence of new pathogens and the spread of existing ones. Several methods have been used to functionalize textile materials with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Therefore, this review highlighted the most used methods for AuNPs preparation and the current studies on the topic in order to obtain AuNPs with suitable properties for antimicrobial applications and minimize the environmental concerns in their production. Reporting the detailed information on the functionalization of fabrics, yarns, and fibers with AuNPs by different methods to improve the antimicrobial properties was the central objective. The studies combining AuNPs and textile materials have opened valuable opportunities to develop antimicrobial materials for health and hygiene products, as infection control and barrier material, with improved properties. Future studies are needed to amplify the antimicrobial effect of AuNPs onto textiles and minimize the concerns related to the synthesis.

Download Full-text

Antibacterial Activity of Polymer Nanocomposites Incorporating Graphene and Its Derivatives: A State of Art

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13132105 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 2105

Author(s):

Ana M. Díez-Pascual ◽

José A. Luceño-Sánchez

Keyword(s):

Graphene Oxide ◽

Polymeric Nanocomposites ◽

Natural Polymers ◽

Vast Number ◽

Antimicrobial Materials ◽

Reduced Graphene ◽

Different Shapes ◽

Different Characteristics ◽

State Of Art

The incorporation of carbon-based nanostructures into polymer matrices is a relevant strategy for producing novel antimicrobial materials. By using nanofillers of different shapes and sizes, and polymers with different characteristics, novel antimicrobial nanocomposites with synergistic properties can be obtained. This article describes the state of art in the field of antimicrobial polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide. Taking into account the vast number of articles published, only some representative examples are provided. A classification of the different nanocomposites is carried out, dividing them into acrylic and methacrylic matrices, biodegradable synthetic polymers and natural polymers. The mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of graphene and its derivatives are also reviewed. Finally, some applications of these antimicrobial nanocomposites are discussed. We aim to enhance understanding in the field and promote further work on the development of polymer-based antimicrobial nanocomposites incorporating graphene-based nanomaterials.

Download Full-text

pH-Degradable imidazolium oligomers as antimicrobial materials with tuneable loss of activity

Biomaterials Science ◽

10.1039/c8bm01683f ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 2317-2325 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yuan Yuan ◽

Diane S. W. Lim ◽

Hong Wu ◽

Hongfang Lu ◽

Yiran Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Resistance ◽

Ph Sensitive ◽

Antimicrobial Materials ◽

Active Fragments

Imidazolium oligomers containing pH-sensitive linkers degrade under basic conditions to less active fragments that slow the development of bacterial resistance.

Download Full-text