Moisture Uptake Behavior, Antibacterial Property, and Heat of Sorption of Nano Silver-Loaded Calcium Alginate Films

Exploring bio-nanomaterials as antibiotic allies to combat antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an emergent threat to global health due to antibiotic abuse, overuse and misuse, necessitating urgent innovative and sustainable solutions. The utilization of bio-nanomaterials as antibiotic allies is a green, economic, sustainable and renewable strategy to combat this pressing issue. These biomaterials involve green precursors (e.g. biowaste, plant extracts, essential oil, microbes, and agricultural residue) and techniques for their fabrication, which reduce their cyto/environmental toxicity and exhibit economic manufacturing, enabling a waste-to-wealth circular economy module. Their nanoscale dimensions with augmented biocompatibility characterize bio-nanomaterials and offer distinctive advantages in addressing AMR. Their ability to target pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, at the molecular level, coupled with their diverse functionalities and bio-functionality doping from natural precursors, allows for a multifaceted approach to combat resistance. Furthermore, bio-nanomaterials can be tailored to enhance the efficacy of existing antimicrobial agents or deliver novel therapies, presenting a versatile platform for innovation. Their use in combination with traditional antibiotics can mitigate resistance mechanisms, prolong the effectiveness of existing treatments, and reduce side effects. This review aims to shed light on the potential of bio-nanomaterials in countering AMR, related mechanisms, and their applications in various domains. These roles encompass co-therapy, nanoencapsulation, and antimicrobial stewardship, each offering a distinct avenue for overcoming AMR. Besides, it addresses the challenges associated with bio-nanomaterials, emphasizing the importance of regulatory considerations. These green biomaterials are the near future of One Health Care, which will have economic, non-polluting, non-toxic, anti-resistant, biocompatible, degradable, and repurposable avenues, contributing to sustainable development goals.

Optimization of the Green Extraction of Red Araçá (Psidium catteyanum Sabine) and Application in Alginate Membranes for Use as Dressings

In this research, the aim was to introduce innovation to the pharmaceutical field through the exploration of an underutilized plant matrix, the red araçá, along with the utilization of sodium alginate for the development of membranes designed for active topical dressings. Within this context, optimal extraction conditions were investigated using the central composite rotational statistical design (CCRD) to obtain a red araçá epicarp extract (RAEE) rich in bioactive compounds utilizing the maceration technique. The extract acquired under the optimized conditions (temperature of 66 °C and a hydroalcoholic solvent concentration of 32%) was incorporated into a sodium alginate matrix for the production of active membranes using a casting method. Characterization of the membranes revealed that the addition of the extract did not significantly alter its morphology. Furthermore, satisfactory results were observed regarding mechanical and barrier properties, as well as the controlled release of phenolic compounds in an environment simulating wound exudate. Based on these findings, the material produced from renewable matrices demonstrates the promising potential for application as a topical dressing within the pharmaceutical industry.