Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Biopolymers Modified with Ionic Liquid and Laponite

Coatable and Resistance-Proof Ionic Liquid for Pathogen Eradication

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria infect close to 3 million people, and kill 35,000, each year in the United States. Ionic liquid (IL)-based antimicrobial agents have the potential to diversify our ever-diminishing antibiotic arsenal. Here, we describe an IL with potent submicromolar antimicrobial activity in vitro against clinically relevant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens as well as anti-infective activity in a mouse model. The IL kills pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli by disrupting their outer membrane and does not select for bacterial resistance. We show incorporation of our IL into surface coatings to generate a type of antibiofilm material. The IL-loaded ionogel surfaces demonstrate high-antimicrobial and antifouling activity by killing bacteria in both static and dynamic tests. Our IL-based antibiofilm surfaces are low-cost and easy to manufacture, can be formed on glass, latex, plastic, and metal surfaces, such as catheters and other medical devices where high local concentrations of antimicrobials are needed, and may have applications in other clinical and industrial settings.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial applications of biopolymers: A review

Biopolymers have generated mounting interest among researchers and industrialists over the recent past. Rising consciousness on the use of eco-friendly materials as green alternatives for fossil-based biopolymers has shifted the research focus towards biopolymers. Advances in technologies have opened up new windows of opportunities to explore the potential of biopolymers. In this context, this review presents a critique on applications of biopolymers in relation to antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Some biopolymers are reported to contain inherent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, whereas, some biopolymers, which do not possess such inherent properties, are used as carriers for other biopolymers or additives having these properties. Modifications are often performed in order to improve the properties of biopolymers to suit them for different applications. This review aims at presenting an overview on recent advances in the use of biopolymers with special reference to their antioxidant and antimicrobial applications in various fields.

The Use of Liquids Ionic Fluids as Pharmaceutically Active Substances Helpful in Combating Nosocomial Infections Induced by Klebsiella Pneumoniae New Delhi Strain, Acinetobacter Baumannii and Enterococcus Species

This review deals with various microbiological activities of ionic liquids, which constitute the first anti-infective defense against multi-drug-resistant bacteria-with a particular emphasis placed on medicine and pharmacology. The quoted data on the biological activity of ionic liquids including their antimicrobial properties (depending on the type of a cation or an anion) and are discussed in view of possible applications in nosocomial infections. Dedicated attention is given to finding infections with the Klebsiella pneumoniae New Delhi strain, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus species, which are responsible for the induction of antibiotic resistance in intensive care units. Diagnosis and treatment using current antibiotics is a significant problem in hospital care, and the relevant burden on the health systems of the European Union member states induces the search for new, effective methods of treatment. Ionic liquids, due to their antibacterial effect, can be considered topical and general medications and may provide the basis for treatment to eliminate the antibiotic resistance phenomenon in the future. At present, the number of infections with resistant pathogens in hospitals and outpatient clinics in the European Union is growing. In 2015⁻2017, a significant incidence of respiratory and bloodstream infections with bacteria resistant to antibiotics from the 3rd generation group of cephalosporins, glycopeptides, and carbapenems were observed. The paper presents examples of synthesized bifunctional salts with at least one pharmaceutically active ion in obtaining a controlled release, controlled delivery, and biological impact on the pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi. The ionic liquids obtained in the presented way may find applications in the treatment of wounds and infections.

Mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/halloysite bio-nanocomposite films: effect of halloysite nanoclay concentration and addition of glycerol

The usage of biopolymers in developing biodegradable materials for applications that meet demands in society for sustainability and environmental safety has been limited due to the poor mechanical and thermal properties of biopolymers. This study aimed to improve the limited properties of biopolymers, particularly polylactic acid (PLA) films, by investigating the effect of incorporating different concentrations (0–5 wt.%) of halloysite nanoclay and by adding glycerol plasticiser on the mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, and toughness) and thermal properties (glass temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and crystalline temperature (Tc)) of the produced bio-nanocomposite films. It was found that the addition of halloysite nanoclay and glycerol improved the mechanical and thermal properties of the films. PLA films incorporated with 3 wt.% concentration of halloysite nanoclay resulted in optimum mechanical properties due to the uniform distribution or dispersion of halloysite nanoclay. The addition of halloysite nanoclay and glycerol reduced the Tg, Tm, and Tc of the films, suggesting that they can improve the processability of the biopolymer. The bio-nanocomposite films produced in this work have the potential to replace non-biodegradable films due to the improved properties of the films.

Crystallization and temperature-dependent structure deflection of C6mimBr ionic liquid intercalated in LAPONITE®

The physicochemical properties of large molecules confined in nanopores are expected to be different from those of the bulk.