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Silva LDS, Vila Nova BG, Sousa CEMD, Silva RG, Carvalho LRDS, Silva ISS, Moreira PHDA, Cardenas AFM, Monteiro CDA, Tofanello A, Garcia W, Teixeira CS, Nascimento da Silva LC. Fabrication and characterization of physically crosslinked alginate/chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with neomycin for the treatment of skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 271:132577. [PMID: 38795887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen widely involved in wound infection due to its ability to release several virulence factors that impair the skin healing process, as well as its mechanism of drug resistance. Herein, sodium alginate and chitosan were combined to produce a hydrogel for topical delivery of neomycin to combat S. aureus associated with skin complications. The hydrogel was formulated by combining sodium alginate (50 mg/mL) and chitosan (50 mg/mL) solutions in a ratio of 9:1 (HBase). Neomycin was added to HBase to achieve a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL (HNeo). The incorporation of neomycin into the product was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, FTIR and TGA analysis. The hydrogels produced are homogeneous, have a high swelling capacity, and show biocompatibility using erythrocytes and fibroblasts as models. The formulations showed physicochemical and pharmacological stability for 60 days at 4 ± 2 °C. HNeo totally inhibited the growth of S. aureus after 4 h. The antimicrobial effects were confirmed using ex vivo (porcine skin) and in vivo (murine) wound infection models. Furthermore, the HNeo-treated mice showed lower severity scores than those treated with HBase. Taken together, the obtained results present a new low-cost bioproduct with promising applications in treating infected wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Dos Santos Silva
- Laboratório de Patogenicidade Microbiana, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, MA, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Gomes Vila Nova
- Laboratório de Patogenicidade Microbiana, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, MA, Brazil
| | | | - Raphael Guedes Silva
- Laboratório de Patogenicidade Microbiana, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, MA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Cristina de Andrade Monteiro
- Laboratório de Pesquisa e Estudo em Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Maranhão (IFMA), São Luís 65030-005, Brazil
| | - Aryane Tofanello
- Center for Advanced Graphene, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research (MackGraphe), Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, SP, Brazil; Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do ABC, SP, Brazil
| | - Wanius Garcia
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do ABC, SP, Brazil
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Vinceković M, Jurić S, Vlahoviček-Kahlina K, Martinko K, Šegota S, Marijan M, Krčelić A, Svečnjak L, Majdak M, Nemet I, Rončević S, Rezić I. Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles Antifungal Activity against Botrytis cinerea. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4359. [PMID: 38006083 PMCID: PMC10674643 DOI: 10.3390/polym15224359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Addressing the growing need for environmentally friendly fungicides in agriculture, this study explored the potential of biopolymer microparticles loaded with metal ions as a novel approach to combat fungal pathogens. Novel alginate microspheres and chitosan/alginate microcapsules loaded with zinc or with zinc and silver ions were prepared and characterized (microparticle size, morphology, topography, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and swelling behavior). Investigation of molecular interactions in microparticles using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy exhibited complex interactions between all constituents. Fitting to the simple Korsmeyer-Peppas empirical model revealed the rate-controlling mechanism of metal ions release from microparticles is Fickian diffusion. Lower values of the release constant k imply a slower release rate of Zn2+ or Ag+ ions from microcapsules compared to that of microspheres. The antimicrobial potential of the new formulations against the fungus Botrytis cinerea was evaluated. When subjected to tests against the fungus, microspheres exhibited superior antifungal activity especially those loaded with both zinc and silver ions, reducing fungal growth up to 98.9% and altering the hyphal structures. Due to the slower release of metal ions, the microcapsule formulations seem suitable for plant protection throughout the growing season. The results showed the potential of these novel microparticles as powerful fungicides in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Vinceković
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.J.); (K.V.-K.); (A.K.)
| | - Slaven Jurić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.J.); (K.V.-K.); (A.K.)
| | - Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.J.); (K.V.-K.); (A.K.)
| | - Katarina Martinko
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Suzana Šegota
- Laboratory for Biocolloids and Surface Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marijan Marijan
- Department of Quality Control, The Institute of Immunology, Rockefellerova 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ana Krčelić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.J.); (K.V.-K.); (A.K.)
| | - Lidija Svečnjak
- Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Mislav Majdak
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Textile Technology, Prilaz Baruna Filipovića 28a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ivan Nemet
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Sanda Rončević
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Iva Rezić
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Textile Technology, Prilaz Baruna Filipovića 28a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Becagli M, Arduini I, Cantini V, Cardelli R. Soil and Foliar Applications of Wood Distillate Differently Affect Soil Properties and Field Bean Traits in Preliminary Field Tests. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:121. [PMID: 36616250 PMCID: PMC9823333 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Natural products such as wood distillate (WD) are promising alternatives to xenobiotic products in conventional agriculture and are necessary in organic farming. A field study gave insight into the effectiveness of WD applied as foliar spray (F-WD), soil irrigation (S-WD), and their combination as growth promoters for field beans. The soil fertility and quality parameters, plant growth, nutrient uptake, and resource partitioning within plants were evaluated. In a pot trial, we tested the effect of S-WD on root nodule initiation and growth. S-WD increased DOC and microbial biomass by approximately 10%, prompted enzyme activities, and increased nitrate and available phosphorus in soil, without affecting the number and growth of nodules in field beans. In contrast, the F-WD slightly reduced the DOC, exerted a lower stimulation on soil enzymes, and lowered the soil effect in the combined distribution. In field beans, the F-WD reduced the stem height but increased the number of pods per stem; S-WD increased the N and P concentrations of leaves and the N concentration of the pods. Moreover, all WD treatments retarded plant senescence. The WD revealed itself to be promising as a growth promoter for grain legumes, but further research is needed to understand the interference between the combined soil and foliar applications.
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Lopez-Nuñez R, Suarez-Fernandez M, Lopez-Moya F, Lopez-Llorca LV. Chitosan and nematophagous fungi for sustainable management of nematode pests. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:980341. [PMID: 37746197 PMCID: PMC10512356 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.980341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Plants are exposed to large number of threats caused by herbivores and pathogens which cause important losses on crops. Plant pathogens such as nematodes can cause severe damage and losses in food security crops worldwide. Chemical pesticides were extendedly used for nematode management. However, due to their adverse effects on human health and the environment, they are now facing strong limitations by regulatory organisations such as EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative and efficient control measures, such as biological control agents or bio-based plant protection compounds. In this scenario, chitosan, a non-toxic polymer obtained from seafood waste mainly, is becoming increasingly important. Chitosan is the N-deacetylated form of chitin. Chitosan is effective in the control of plant pests and diseases. It also induces plants defence mechanisms. Chitosan is also compatible with some biocontrol microorganisms mainly entomopathogenic and nematophagous fungi. Some of them are antagonists of nematode pests of plants and animals. The nematophagous biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia has been widely studied for sustainable management of nematodes affecting economically important crops and for its capability to grow with chitosan as only nutrient source. This fungus infects nematode eggs using hyphal tips and appressoria. Pochonia chlamydosporia also colonizes plant roots endophytically, stimulating plant defences by induction of salicylic and jasmonic acid biosynthesis and favours plant growth and development. Therefore, the combined use of chitosan and nematophagous fungi could be a novel strategy for the biological control of nematodes and other root pathogens of food security crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Lopez-Nuñez
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Marta Suarez-Fernandez
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Lopez-Moya
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Luis Vicente Lopez-Llorca
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Vinceković M, Šegota S, Jurić S, Harja M, Ondrasek G. Development and Characterization of a Novel Soil Amendment Based on Biomass Fly Ash Encapsulated in Calcium Alginate Microspheres. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179984. [PMID: 36077392 PMCID: PMC9456561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomass fly ash (BFA) from a biomass cogeneration plant was encapsulated into calcium alginate microspheres (ALG/Ca) and characterized. An FTIR analysis indicated that BFA loading weakened molecular interactions between ALG/Ca constituents (mainly hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions), thus changing the crosslinking density. SEM and AFM analyses revealed a wrinkled and rough surface with elongated and distorted granules. The in vitro release of BFA’s main components (K, Ca, and Mg) was controlled by diffusion through the gel-like matrix, but the kinetics and released amounts differed significantly. The smaller released amounts and slower release rates of Ca and Mg compared to K resulted from the differences in the solubility of their minerals as well as from the interactions of divalent cations with alginate chains. The physicochemical properties of the novel microsphere formulation reveal significant potential for the prolonged delivery of nutrients to crops in a safe manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Vinceković
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-239-3953
| | - Suzana Šegota
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Laboratory for Biocolloids and Surface Chemistry, Bijenička c. 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Slaven Jurić
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maria Harja
- Department of Chemical Engineering, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Ias, Bulevardul Profesor Dimitrie Mangeron 67, 700050 Iași, Romania
| | - Gabrijel Ondrasek
- Department of Soil Amelioration, The University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Reverchon E, Scognamiglio M, Baldino L. The Nanostructure of Polymer-Active Principle Microparticles Produced by Supercritical CO 2 Assisted Processing. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12091401. [PMID: 35564110 PMCID: PMC9105249 DOI: 10.3390/nano12091401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Traditional and supercritical CO2 assisted processes are frequently used to produce microparticles formed by a biopolymer containing an active principle to improve the bioavailability of the active principle. However, information about the internal organization of these microparticles is still scarce. In this work, a suspension of dextran + Fe3O4 nanoparticles (model system) and a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) + curcumin were used to produce spherical microparticles by supercritical CO2 processing. Periodic dynamic light scattering measurements were used to analyze the evolution of the microparticles dissolution, size, and size distribution of the guest active principle in the polymeric matrix. It was found that curcumin was dispersed in the form of nanoparticles in the PVP microparticles, whose size largely depended on its relative concentration. These results were validated by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the PVP microparticles and curcumin nanoparticles, before and after the dissolution tests.
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Challenging Sustainable and Innovative Technologies in Cheese Production: A Review. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10030529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that cheese yield and quality are affected by animal genetics, milk quality (chemical, physical, and microbiological), production technology, and the type of rennet and dairy cultures used in production. Major differences in the same type of cheese (i.e., hard cheese) are caused by the rennet and dairy cultures, which affect the ripening process. This review aims to explore current technological advancements in animal genetics, methods for the isolation and production of rennet and dairy cultures, along with possible applications of microencapsulation in rennet and dairy culture production, as well as the challenge posed to current dairy technologies by the preservation of biodiversity. Based on the reviewed scientific literature, it can be concluded that innovative approaches and the described techniques can significantly improve cheese production.
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Natural Polymers Used in Edible Food Packaging—History, Function and Application Trends as a Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic Plastic. POLYSACCHARIDES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/polysaccharides3010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, a historical perspective, functional and application trends of natural polymers used to the development of edible food packaging were presented and discussed. Polysaccharides and proteins, i.e., alginate; carrageenan; chitosan; starch; pea protein, were considered. These natural polymers are important materials obtained from renewable plant, algae and animal sources, as well as from agroindustrial residues. Historically, some of them have been widely used by ancient populations for food packaging until these were replaced by petroleum-based plastic materials after World War II. Nowadays, biobased materials for food packaging have attracted attention. Their use was boosted especially because of the environmental pollution caused by inappropriate disposal of plastic packaging. Biobased materials are welcome to the design of food packaging because they possess many advantages, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and low toxicity. Depending on the formulation, certain biopolymer-based packaging may present good barrier properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities Thus, polysaccharides and proteins can be combined to form diverse composite films with improved mechanical and biological behaviors, making them suitable for packaging of different food products.
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