Fabrication of Photoactive Electrospun Cellulose Acetate Nanofibers for Antibacterial Applications

Tomasz Czapka,Ryszard Kacprzyk,Angelika Winkler,Irena Maliszewska

doi:10.3390/en14092598

Tomasz Czapka, Ryszard Kacprzyk + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14092598

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the process of electrostatic fabrication of cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers containing methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer. The electrical, physicochemical, and biocidal properties of the prepared material were given. CA nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning method using a solvent mixture of acetone and distilled water (9:1 vv−1) and different concentrations of CA (i.e., 10–21%). Additionally, methylene blue was implemented into the polymer solution with a CA concentration of 17% to obtain fibers with photo-bactericidal properties. Pure electrospun CA fibers were more uniform than fibers with MB (i.e., ribbon shape). Fiber diameters did not exceed 900 nm for the tested polymer solutions and flow rate below 1.0 mL h−1. The polymer properties (i.e., concentration, resistivity) and other parameters of the process (i.e., flow rate, an applied voltage) strongly influenced the size of the fibers. Plasma treatment of nanofibers resulted in reduced biofilm formation on their surface. The results of photo-bactericidal activity (i.e., up to 180 min) confirmed the high efficiency of inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus cells using fibers containing methylene blue (i.e., with and without plasma treatment). The most effective reduction in the number of biofilm cells was equal to 99.99 ± 0.3%.

Highlights

In the current situation of a global epidemiological threat, the use of materials with limited ability to develop surface biofilm, especially in public facilities, is of great importance
To develop platform technologies for anti-infective materials based upon photodynamic inactivation, we employed electrospinning to prepare polymeric nanofibers comprised of cellulose acetate (CA) embedded with methylene blue as a photo-active compound
The most the common nanofibers containing methylene blue to be defective because they were continuous known faults that occur in the electrospinning process are: (a) beaded, (b) branched, (c) and their fabrication

Summary

Introduction

In the current situation of a global epidemiological threat, the use of materials with limited ability to develop surface biofilm, especially in public facilities, is of great importance. The growing resistance of pathogens to commercially available biocides necessitates the search for antimicrobial materials that act on many cellular targets and limit the development of pathogen resistance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) seems to be a unique and interesting technique for controlling pathogens. This process is based on the release of ROS from the non-toxic photosensitizer in the presence of O2 after irradiation with light of an appropriate length. Cytotoxic ROS, to hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen, are produced in cells and cause harmful biological effects (i.e., lipid peroxidation, enzymatic inhibition, protein agglutination) [1]. To develop platform technologies for anti-infective materials based upon photodynamic inactivation, we employed electrospinning to prepare polymeric nanofibers comprised of cellulose acetate (CA) embedded with methylene blue as a photo-active compound

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