Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Containing Viroblock as Promising Material for Protective Clothing

Antimicrobial viroblock/polyacrylonitrile nanofiber webs fabricated using the electrospinning method were assessed in terms of the antimicrobial activity against infectious agents as a potential material used in mask production. Viroblock (VB) is an amalgam of lipid vesicle and silver. Lipid vesicle depletes the virus outer membrane, which contains cholesterol, while silver ions penetrate the virus, interact with sulfur-bearing moieties, and possess the virus bactericidal property. VB, having anti-coronavirus and anti-influenza properties, was prepared in four different concentrations, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 1.5 wt%, and 2 wt%, in regard to nanofiber weight. The resultant nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water contact angle, water content, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, all nanofibrous samples were evaluated for cell proliferation assay and ATCC antibacterial tests. Based on characterization results and cytotoxicity, the developed composite nanofibers-based webs showed good promise for utilization in anti-viral masks. Particularly, 2 wt% VB/PAN nanofibers have the highest antibacterial properties against negative and positive bacteria along with excellent cell viability.

Phosphonate/quaternary ammonium copolymers as high-efficiency antibacterial coating for metallic substrate

Designi of a coating material with efficient bactericidal property to cope with bacterial associated infections is highly desirable for metallic implants and devices. Here, we report phosphonate/quaternary ammonium copolymers, p(DEMMP-co-TMAEMA),...

Fabrication of Multifunctional Nano Gelatin/Zinc Oxide Composite Fibers

According to health studies, reinforcing gelatin is necessary in order to obtain the multifunctional material. In this study, nano zinc oxide (ZnO; at concentrations of 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) was doped with gelatin and the solution was electrospun under specific conditions to obtain multifunctional gelatin/ZnO nanofibers. The morphology of the nanofibers was studied by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis indicated the presence of nano Zn on the surface of gelatin fibers. On the contrary, elemental mapping analysis proved the distribution of nano material along the nano gelatin fibers. The results show that the produced nano gelatin/ZnO composite increases the ultraviolet (UV) blocking of fabric significantly. It is also observed that electrospun gelatin/ZnO nanofibers have excellent bactericidal property against both Bacillus cereus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) bacteria.

EXTRACTION, CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENCY OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF TAHITI LEMON (Citrus latifolia Tanaka)

The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics induce the emergence of more virulent strains, with ability to cross natural barriers of defense of the organism and of becoming pathogenic, even when present in low numbers. Therefore, the use of natural compounds such as essential oils, which have a strong bactericidal property against food pathogens has been widely explored. In this way, the focus study aimed to extract, chemically characterize and evaluate the antimicrobial potential of essential oil from Citrus latifolia Tanaka (tahiti lemon) against the strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. For extraction of essential oil, we used the hydrodistillation technique, chemical characterisation by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and the antimicrobial potential was evaluated by the Disk Diffusion Method (DDM). It was observed for this oil yield (1,64%), the CG-MS quantified the limonene dioxide (25,93%) as major component and all bacteria were sensitive front of the oil. Therefore, it has the potential of antimicrobial essential oil from Citrus latifolia Tanaka (Tahiti lemon) pointing the same as an ally in applications which depend on the inhibition of microorganisms tested in this study.