Antimicrobial materials properties based on ion-exchange 4A zeolite derivatives

Description and management of Aspergillus section Nigri causing post-harvest bulbs rot of onion

When onions are improperly stored, a post-harvest disease known as black mold of onion bulbs can result in considerable economic losses. Aspergillus section Nigri, one of many species, has been implicated in the development of black mold. In the present study, rot onion bulbs were collected from markets in Qena, Egypt. Thirteen Aspergillus section Nigri isolates were obtained and identified by morphological and molecular characterization. The ochratoxins potential of isolated A. section Nigri was tested, and three isolates were producers at the range of 1.5-15 ppm. For the presence of pks gene, no amplification product was detected. Using the fungal growth inhibition test, the isolates of A. niger were inhibited by eco-friendly materials Cement and Zeolite. Cement exhibited maximum percentage growth inhibition against the tested isolates at 74.7-86.7%. The pathogenicity activity of the A. niger isolates was tested by inoculation of healthy onion bulbs, other onion bulbs covered with Cement and Zeolite before inoculation by A. niger was used. The two treatments significantly reduced bulbs rot disease of onion than untreated bulbs. Seven and nine isolates showed 0% rot on covered bulbs by Cement and Zeolite, respectively as compared with inoculated onions, which exhibited rot ranging from 55 to 80%. Using eco-friendly materials with efficiency against post-harvest bulbs rot of onion was evaluated in this study.

Synergistic antibacterial attributes of copper-doped polydopamine nanoparticles: an insight into photothermal enhanced antibacterial efficacy

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and associated infectious diseases pose a grave threat to human health. The antibacterial activity of metal nanoparticles has been extensively utilized in several biomedical applications, showing that they can effectively inhibit the growth of various bacteria. In this research, copper-doped polydopamine nanoparticles (Cu@PDA NPs) were synthesized through an economical process employing deionized water and ethanol as a solvent. By harnessing the high photothermal conversion efficiency of polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) and the inherent antibacterial attributes of copper ions, we engineered nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial characteristics. Cu@PDA NPs exhibited a rougher surface and a higher zeta potential in comparison to PDA NPs, and both demonstrated remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency. Comprehensive antibacterial evaluations substantiated the superior efficacy of Cu@PDA NPs attributable to their copper content. These readily prepared nano-antibacterial materials exhibit substantial potential in infection prevention and treatment, owing to their synergistic combination of photothermal and spectral antibacterial features.

Rational Design and Characterisation of Novel Mono- and Bimetallic Antibacterial Linde Type A Zeolite Materials

The development of antimicrobial devices and surfaces requires the setup of suitable materials, able to store and release active principles. In this context, zeolites, which are microporous aluminosilicate minerals, hold great promise, since they are able to serve as a reservoir for metal-ions with antimicrobial properties. Here, we report on the preparation of Linde Type A zeolites, partially exchanged with combinations of metal-ions (Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺) at different loadings (0.1–11.9 wt.%). We combine X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction to monitor the metal-ion contents, distribution, and conservation of the zeolite structure after exchange. Then, we evaluate their antimicrobial activity, using agar dilution and optical-density monitoring of Escherichia coli cultures. The results indicate that silver-loaded materials are at least 70-fold more active than the copper-, zinc-, and non-exchanged ones. Moreover, zeolites loaded with lower Ag⁺ concentrations remain active down to 0.1 wt.%, and their activities are directly proportional to the total Ag content. Sequential exchanges with two metal ions (Ag⁺ and either Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺) display synergetic or antagonist effects, depending on the quantity of the second metal. Altogether, this work shows that, by combining analytical and quantitative methods, it is possible to fine-tune the composition of bi-metal-exchanged zeolites, in order to maximise their antimicrobial potential, opening new ways for the development of next-generation composite zeolite-containing antimicrobial materials, with potential applications for the design of dental or bone implants, as well as biomedical devices and pharmaceutical products.