Antibacterial Polymer Research Articles

Antibacterial cationic porous organic polymer coatings via an adsorption-contact-photodynamic inactivation strategy for treatment of drug-resistant bacteria

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) has great potential for treating severely infected wounds, it is restricted by the short lifetime, limited diffusion distance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and incomplete contact with bacteria. Herein, we report a novel nanosized ionic porous organic polymer (TPAPy-IPOP) based on the triphenylamine (TPA) moiety. Strong electron-deficient cationic groups were introduced into TPA to construct the donor–acceptor (D–A) system, in which the photoelectric effect of TPAPy-IPOP was greatly enhanced, and it was easily excited to produce ROS under irradiation with visible light. The introduction of cations not only facilitated bacterial adsorption by TPAPy-IPOP via electrostatic attraction, which was more conducive to killing bacteria by ROS, but also inactivated bacteria by the cations directly. The nanosized TPAPy-IPOP remained suspended in water for several months and could be sprayed onto various substrates to form a durable coating with excellent antibacterial properties. The in vivo results proved that the silk fibroin/polyvinyl alcohol non-woven fabric (SF/PVA) coated with TPAPy-IPOP could create and maintain a sterile microenvironment at a wound site. The rapid reduction in inflammation resulting from its bactericidal action accelerated the wound healing rate. Collectively, this design is expected to offer a generalizable approach for developing novel antibacterial therapeutic photosensitizers, especially for infected wound treatment.

Polymer gel materials based on polyvinyl alcohol and silver nanoparticles

Recently, issues of technogenic and environmental safety have come to the fore in the development of civilization. Currently, there is a tendency to increase the number of man-made emergencies. One of the ways to mitigate their impact and consequences on the population is the creation of innovative medical materials. Therefore, the idea of ​​developing a non-toxic, antibacterial and antiviral polymer hydrogel with given functional properties as a wound dressing is relevant today. The work is devoted to the creation of silver-containing gel materials based on polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol. Hydrogel nanocomposite materials were obtained by reduction of silver ions with the help of ascorbic acid followed by cross-linking of polymer macromolecules by irradiation with a high-energy electron beam. The structure of hydrogel materials was studied by the method of wide-angle X-ray scattering and the presence of metallic silver in the studied polymer systems was confirmed. It was established that polymeric hydrogel materials PVA-PEG-1%-Ag exhibit antimicrobial and antiviral activity. It was found that the investigated polymer hydrogel materials with silver nanoparticles do not exhibit a toxic effect.

Crosslinking gelatin with robust inherent antibacterial natural polymer for wound healing

Gelatin-based biomaterials are widely acknowledged as a promising choice for wound dressings, given their similarity to the extracellular matrix and biocompatibility. However, the challenge of cross-linking gelatin while preserving its biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness persists. This study aimed to enhance the properties of gelatin by incorporating the oxidized lignosulfonate (OLS) biopolymer as an inexpensive and biocompatible natural material. The polyphenolic structure of OLS acts as both a cross-linking agent and an antibacterial component. The OLS/gelatin films were prepared using a casting method with varying weight ratios (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 w/w). FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of Schiff-base and hydrogen bonds between gelatin and OLS. The resulting films exhibited enhanced mechanical properties (Young's modulus ∼40 MPa), no cytotoxicity, and excellent cell adhesion and morphology. Antimicrobial tests showed significant activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with higher activity against S. aureus (17 mm inhibition zone and 99 % bactericidal rate). In vivo studies in a mouse model demonstrated that the gelatin/0.2OLS dressing significantly improved wound healing, including re-epithelialization, collagen formation, inflammation reduction, and blood vessel density, compared to untreated wounds. These findings suggest that the synthesized novel gelatin/OLS wound dressing has promising healing and antibacterial properties.

Preparation of N-Halamine Gelatin Sponge and Its Application in the Treatment of Skin Infection.

Nowadays, there has been an increasing research interest into N-halamine compounds due to their wide antimicrobial properties and no drug resistance. Most of the research mainly focuses on small molecular N-halamines, while few studies are on macromolecule N-halamines. In this work, antibacterial N-halamine polymer materials based on proteins (GS-Cl) were synthesized with an antibacterial component of oxidative chlorine, a support component of a gelatin sponge. After carrying out systematic characterization, the GS-Cls exhibited well-defined porous morphology and had a high efficiency in the killing of Gram-positive bacteria (E. coli) and Gram-negative bacteria (S. aureus). The loading of oxidative chlorine (Cl+%) could be controlled by changing the NaClO concentrations and chlorination times. The biocompatibility was confirmed as well. In vivo experiments suggested that the GS-Cl sample could effectively promote the healing of skin wounds in mice E. coli and S. aureus infection models. These studies show that proteins can be chlorinated and endowed with antimicrobial properties, which has great application potential in the treatment of bacteria-infected wounds.

Antilisterial and antioxidant exopolysaccharide from Enterococcus faecium PCH.25 isolated from cow butter: characterization and probiotic potential.

Exopolysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria have gained attention for their potential health benefits and applications in functional foods. This study explores the isolation and characterization of a novel exopolysaccharide-producing strain from dairy products. The aim was to evaluate its probiotic potential and investigate the properties of the produced exopolysaccharide. A strain identified as Enterococcus faecium PCH.25, isolated from cow butter, demonstrated exopolysaccharide production. The study's novelty lies in the comprehensive characterization of this strain and its exopolysaccharide, revealing unique properties with potential applications in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. The E. faecium PCH.25 strain exhibited strong acid tolerance, with a 92.24% viability rate at pH 2 after 2h of incubation. It also demonstrated notable auto-aggregation (85.27% after 24h) and co-aggregation abilities, antibiotic sensitivity, and absence of hemolytic activity, suggesting its probiotic potential. The exopolysaccharide produced by this strain showed bactericidal activity (MIC and MBC = 1.8mg/ml) against Listeria monocytogenes and antioxidant properties (22.8%). Chemical analysis revealed a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose and fructose monomers, with various functional groups contributing to its bioactivities. Physical characterization of the exopolysaccharide indicated thermal stability up to 270°C, a negative zeta-potential (-27 mV), and an average particle size of 235nm. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed a smooth, nonporous structure primarily composed of carbon and oxygen, with an amorphous nature. These findings suggest that the exopolysaccharide from E. faecium PCH.25 has potential as a natural antibacterial and antioxidant polymer for use in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Green synthesis and antibacterial-antibiofilm properties of biogenic silver nanoparticles

The biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles is gaining prominence as an alternative to traditional physicochemical methods, offering several advantages such as simplicity, non-toxicity, lower energy requirements and short reaction times leading to environmentally sustainable processes. The aims of this work were: to study the extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Pseudomonas extremaustralis 2E-UNGS, to characterise the shape, monodispersity and size of AgNPs, to explore their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, and to evaluate the role of nitrate reductase activity in the biosynthesis process. The novelty of this work relies on the development of a green and sustainable method for the synthesis of stable AgNPs with optimal properties for potential applications in antimicrobial materials, especially when incorporated into polymeric matrices or used as agrochemical substitutes. Optimal conditions for the biosynthesis of spherical AgNPs were determined to be pH 7, 38 °C, 4 h of darkness and 120 rpm using stationary phase culture supernatants of P. extremaustralis 2E-UNGS. The involvement of extracellular nitrate reductase in AgNP biosynthesis was confirmed by enzymatic assays and supported by bioinformatics analysis, which identified the presence of the napA2 gene linked to the nirBD cluster. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated the inhibitory effect of AgNPs against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 in both planktonic and biofilm states. In addition, the potential application of AgNPs in innovative antibacterial polymers was explored by incorporating them into polyurethane matrices either alone (PU-AgNP) or in combination with crystal violet as a photosensitizer (PU-AgNP-CV). Subsequent inoculation with a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resulted in significant reductions in viable bacterial counts on both PU-AgNP-CV and PU-AgNP. Biogenic AgNPs showed antibacterial and antibiofilm properties for new antimicrobial material development.

Preparation of an Antibacterial Branched Polyamide 6 via Hydrolytic Ring-Opening Co-Polymerization of ε-Caprolactam and Lysine Derivative.

In this study, we successfully realized the hydrolytic ring-opening co-polymerization of ε-caprolactam (CPL) and lysine derivative. A novel antibacterial modified polyamide 6 with a branched structure was obtained after the quaternization of the co-polymers. The co-polymers exhibited a significant increase in zero shear viscosity, melt index and storage modulus at the low frequency region. The quaternized co-polymers displayed thermal properties different from pure PA6 and good mechanical (tensile) properties. The antibacterial activity of the quaternized co-polymers depends on the quaternary ammonium groups' incorporated content. At 6.2 mol% incorporation of quaternary ammonium groups, the strong antibacterial activity has been introduced to the co-polymers. As the quaternary ammonium groups approached 10.1 mol%, the antibacterial polymers demonstrated nearly complete killing of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative). The above research results provided a new approach for the study of high-performance nylon.

3D Printable Antimicrobial Polymer Blend

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3D) printing is an innovative manufacturing method for preparing designer materials with complex geometries. However, there are very few studies on the fabrication of antimicrobial polymer materials suitable for use in everyday clinical objects, via 3D printing. In this work, an antibacterial polymer material is prepared by blending polyamide 11 (matrix), a high‐performance engineering thermoplastic, and a styrene maleimide copolymer with pendant quaternary amine moieties, and the blend 3D printed via selective laser sintering. The quaternary amine functionalities confer permanent antimicrobial properties. Blend properties are studied prior to printing via differential scanning calorimetry, powder X‐ray diffraction, and FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of the polymer blends and printed material are also assessed. The microstructure of the 3D printed polymer materials is further characterized via DOSY NMR spectroscopy. This study indicates that this is a promising approach for preparing nonleaching antimicrobial 3D printable materials.

Quinizarin-based photoactive porous polymers from emulsion templates: Monoliths versus membranes in photobactericidal applications

The increasing challenge of antimicrobial resistance and the persistent threat of infectious diseases are strong incentives for development of novel materials that effectively and sustainably combat bacterial proliferation. Macroporous materials contribute to this endeavor, but the reported antibacterial porous polymers rely on the release of antibacterial agents, which carries the risk that their efficacy will diminish over time. This work reports a facile synthesis by emulsion templating polymerization of innovative photo-bactericidal macroporous polymers functionalized by a quinizarin photosensitizer that generates antibacterial reactive oxygen species under visible light. In brief, a monomethacrylated quinizarin (QMA) derivative, known for its ability to generate bactericidal singlet oxygen upon visible light irradiation, is copolymerized with a bio-based acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) under high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) conditions, resulting in 3D-interconnected quinizarin-functionalized macroporous monoliths. The QMA-functionalized polyHIPEs are also structured into membranes by photocuring thin layers of HIPEs to increase their external surface and promote interaction with light. Photobleaching tests show the ability of these materials to generate bactericidal singlet oxygen. Antibacterial tests also demonstrate the sustained antibacterial efficacy of the QMA-based porous membranes, providing a promising avenue for the development of next-generation antibacterial materials.

Antiinflammatory and antibacterial polytetrahydropyrimidine loaded on degradable thermosensitive hydrogels for treatment of open wounds

Open wound is one of the concerns of modern medicine. The early wound has not been closed, there will be easy to enter the bacteria leading to bacterial infection. When the wound deteriorates further, the inflammation at the wound will continue to strengthen, and eventually become a chronic wound or non-healing wound. Therefore, an antibacterial anti-inflammatory tissue recovery environment will greatly promote the wound healing process. In this work, we prepared a hyaluronic acid/gelatin hydrogel that provides a comfortable recovery environment for wound healing. We also synthesized an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory polytetrahydropyrimidine (PTHP) polymer and loaded it into the hydrogel. The PTHP can be released in the hydrogel at a human body temperature of 37 °C, thereby achieving bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects on the wound. Moreover, the hyaluronic acid/gelatin hydrogel can be degraded automatically at 37 °C. Therefore, PTHP-loaded hyaluronic acid/gelatin hydrogel system is an open wound care material with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and microenvironment-responsive tissue recovery environment. It is an ideal candidate for the treatment of open wounds.

Advances in Antibacterial Polymer Coatings Synthesized via Chemical Vapor Deposition

Advances in Antibacterial Polymer Coatings Synthesized via Chemical Vapor Deposition

Pyridinium‐Yne Click Polymerization: A Facile Strategy toward Functional Poly(Vinylpyridinium Salt)s with Multidrug‐Resistant Bacteria Killing Ability

AbstractPolymeric materials with antibacterial properties hold great promise for combating multidrug‐resistant bacteria, which pose a significant threat to public health. However, the synthesis of most antibacterial polymers typically involves complicated and time‐consuming procedures. In this study, we demonstrate a simple and efficient strategy for synthesizing functional poly(vinylpyridinium salt)s via pyridinium‐yne click polymerization. This click polymerization could proceed with high atom economy under mild conditions without any external catalyst, yielding soluble and thermally stable poly(vinylpyridinium salt)s with satisfactory molecular weights and well‐defined structures in excellent yields. Additionally, the incorporation of luminescent units such as fluorene, tetraphenylethylene, and triphenylamine into the polymer backbone confers excellent aggregation‐enhanced emission properties upon the resulting polymers, rendering them suitable for bacterial staining. Moreover, the existence of pyridinium salt imparts intrinsic antibacterial activity against multidrug‐resistant bacteria to the polymers, enabling them to effectively inhibit wound bacterial infection and significantly expedite the healing process. This work not only provides an efficient method to prepare antibacterial polymers, but also opens up the possibility of various applications of polymers in healthcare and other antibacterial fields.

Pyridinium-Yne Click Polymerization: A Facile Strategy toward Functional Poly(Vinylpyridinium Salt)s with Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Killing Ability.

Polymeric materials with antibacterial properties hold great promise for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria, which pose a significant threat to public health. However, the synthesis of most antibacterial polymers typically involves complicated and time-consuming procedures. In this study, we demonstrate a simple and efficient strategy for synthesizing functional poly(vinylpyridinium salt)s via pyridinium-yne click polymerization. This click polymerization could proceed with high atom economy under mild conditions without any external catalyst, yielding soluble and thermally stable poly(vinylpyridinium salt)s with satisfactory molecular weights and well-defined structures in excellent yields. Additionally, the incorporation of luminescent units such as fluorene, tetraphenylethylene, and triphenylamine into the polymer backbone confers excellent aggregation-enhanced emission properties upon the resulting polymers, rendering them suitable for bacterial staining. Moreover, the existence of pyridinium salt imparts intrinsic antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria to the polymers, enabling them to effectively inhibit wound bacterial infection and significantly expedite the healing process. This work not only provides an efficient method to prepare antibacterial polymers, but also opens up the possibility of various applications of polymers in healthcare and other antibacterial fields.

Infection‐responsive polysaccharide‐based drug‐loaded nano‐assembly for dual‐modal treatment against drug‐resistant bacterial lung infection

AbstractThe escalating issue of lung infections induced by multi‐drug resistant (MDR) bacteria is threatening human health. Thus, the development of efficient drug delivery systems is essential to eliminate MDR bacterial lung infections effectively. Herein, we designed inhalable drug‐loaded nano‐assemblies by the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged sodium alginate and a positively charged antibacterial polymer, quaternized polyethyleneimine (QPEI‐C6), as well as a kind of typical antibiotic for therapy of lung infection, azithromycin (AZT). By adjusting the feed ratios, we optimized the size of the nano‐assembly to approximately 200 nm (STQ12), which was beneficial for penetration through the mucus layer and biofilm. In the slightly acidic environment of the infected site, the nano‐assembly could dissemble responsively and release AZT and QPEI‐C6. Because of the combined bactericidal effect, STQ12 exhibited high bactericidal efficiency against MDR bacteria. In animal experiments, STQ12 showed notable efficacy against MDR bacterial lung infection. Gene transcriptomic results showed that the main effects of STQ12 against bacteria were through influencing the bacterial cell components and metabolic processes, and affecting their growth and reproduction. This work provides a promising strategy to treat MDR bacterium‐induced lower respiratory tract infections.

Smart Janus cotton fabrics prepared via mist polymerization for moisture and thermal management

The construction of Janus structures on cotton fabrics can endow the fabrics with dynamic multifunctional properties. However, because of the large pores between fabric fibers, the formation of Janus structures by grafting different functional coatings on the double surfaces of cotton fabrics via dipping technology is difficult. To construct Janus structures on cotton fabrics, mist polymerization and “grafting-through” polymerization technologies were used to graft polylauryl methacrylate and a heat-shrinkable thermosensitive antibacterial polymer on the inside and outside surfaces of the cotton fabric, respectively. The as-formed Janus cotton fabric demonstrated excellent antibacterial durability. Even after subjecting the Janus fabric to 70 laundering cycles, its bacterial rates against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were > 93.0 %. Compared with the pristine cotton fabric, when the ambient temperature is high or low, the Janus fabric can adjust the skin temperature within 5 min by approximately ±3.0 °C. Additionally, the fabric exhibited excellent waterproof and moisture permeability properties. The Janus cotton fabrics prepared by the proposed strategy possess significant potential for applications in the field of wearable textiles.

A Review of Antimicrobial Polymer Coatings on Steel for the Food Processing Industry.

This article will focus on the issue of protection against the pathogenic biofilm development on steel surfaces within the food sectors, highlighting steel's prominence as a material choice in these areas. Pathogenic microorganism-based biofilms present significant health hazards in the food industry. Current scientific research offers a variety of solutions to the problem of protecting metal surfaces in contact with food from the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. One promising strategy to prevent bacterial growth involves applying a polymeric layer to metal surfaces, which can function as either an antiadhesive barrier or a bactericidal agent. Thus, the review aims to thoroughly examine the application of antibacterial polymer coatings on steel, a key material in contact with food, summarizing research advancements in this field. The investigation into polymer antibacterial coatings is organized into three primary categories: antimicrobial agent-releasing coatings, contact-based antimicrobial coatings, and antifouling coatings. Antibacterial properties of the studied types of coatings are determined not only by their composition, but also by the methods for applying them to metal and coating surfaces. A review of the current literature indicates that coatings based on polymers substantially enhance the antibacterial properties of metallic surfaces. Furthermore, these coatings contribute additional benefits including improved corrosion resistance, enhanced aesthetic appeal, and the provision of unique design elements.

Antibacterial hierarchical surface fabricated using nanoimprint lithography

AbstractAntibacterial materials and surfaces play an important role in various applications, including healthcare, food packaging, and environmental protection. This study investigated the use of nanoimprint lithography for the fabrication of antibacterial hierarchical polymer film. The hierarchical structures were produced on poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) films incorporated with silver (Ag) particles. The fabrication process involved an in situ chemical reduction method to synthesize the PVDF‐HFP/Ag film. Subsequently, a two‐step nanoimprint lithography technique was employed to create the hierarchical structures. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the uniform distribution of these structures across the surface of the PVDF‐HFP/Ag film. The antibacterial properties of the produced samples were assessed using two model bacterial species, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli as representative bacteria models. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in antibacterial behavior, which is attributed to the presence of hierarchical structures on the surface of PVDF‐HFP/Ag films. This study offers insights into the development of antibacterial surfaces using nanoimprint lithography. These materials can be potentially used in various biomedical applications.

Synthesis and characterization of zinc-titanium oxide nanoparticles blended methylcellulose derived from Albizia tree as an antibacterial natural polymer composite

This paper seeks to synthesize antibacterial green polymeric composites utilizing extracted cellulose, a natural polymer sourced from biomass. The cellulose was obtained from local agricultural waste. Subsequently, the polymeric composites were synthesized, incorporating blends of nano zinc oxide and nano titanium dioxide in varying proportions. All synthesized samples undergo comprehensive characterization and examination through a range of tests encompassing structural and thermal testes. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the samples was assessed using the disc diffusion method, enabling the identification of the most effective formulations. The ultimate selection of the optimal composite was based on the collective outcomes of all tests, facilitating its potential utilization across diverse applications. In conclusion, the Albizia tree demonstrates a notable potential for efficient cellulose extraction, making it a viable candidate for such purposes. The cellulose extracted from Albizia tree holds the capability to yield methylcellulose. The bacterial activity assessment of Nano materials highlighted a distinct efficacy in the case of the 75% Nano TiO2 and 25% Nano ZnO mixture. However, it is worth noting that an excessive increment in Nano ZnO content exhibited adverse effects. Thorough thermal analyses verified the thermal stability of methylcellulose.

Ethylene glycol derivative-pendanted quaternary ammonium antibacterial polymers with low cytotoxicity

Cationic poly(quaternary ammonium) (pQA) polymers exhibit excellent antibacterial efficacy but high cytotoxicity (thus low selectivity), hampering their widespread use as antibacterial agents. Herein, we systematically synthesized a series of pQA polymers (pQA−EG) containing biocompatible ethylene glycol (EG) derivative pendant groups with different chain lengths and connectivities (acyclic/cyclic). The antibacterial efficacy of pQA−EG was optimized by a moderate EG chain length, which endowed the polymer with balanced hydrophobicity/charge density. The high chain flexibility of the EG derivative combined with its good hydrophilicity was critical for significantly lowering the cytotoxicity of pQA−EG. Hence, compared with pQA polymers containing alkyl pendant groups, the pQA−EG polymer containing a long flexible EG derivative pendant group exhibited significantly lower cytotoxicity and higher selectivity as well as satisfactory antibacterial activity and kinetics. Our study offers a rational platform for synthesizing low-toxicity antibacterial polymers and provides fundamental insights into their structure−biological activity relationships.

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Grafted Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Polymer against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

Infectious diseases caused by microorganisms have gained worldwide attention in recent years. According to data compiled by the World Health Organization, the number of deaths resulting from infectious diseases is on the rise. In light of these dangers, the study of antibacterial materials has become increasingly vital. In this research, an antibacterial polymer was developed using poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and 4,4-diamminodiphenylmethane (DDM). The produced polymer’s chemical structure and thermal properties were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermo-gravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activity of the resulting PVC-g-DDM polymer was effective in killing both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial efficacy was tested using a spread plate method, demonstrating its potential utility in a variety of applications like biomedical, coatings, water purification systems, and others. Antimicrobial resistance is increasing, especially among bacteria that have acquired resistance to multiple therapeutics. To fully optimize and explore the polymer’s potential and its usage, more research is needed.