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Toader G, Ginghina RE, Bratu AE, Podaru AI, Pulpea D, Rotariu T, Gavrilă AM, Diacon A. Ionic Crosslinked Hydrogel Films for Immediate Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents. Gels 2024; 10:428. [PMID: 39057451 PMCID: PMC11275507 DOI: 10.3390/gels10070428] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study describes the development of hydrogel formulations with ionic crosslinking capacity and photocatalytic characteristics. The objective of this research is to provide an effective, accessible, "green", and facile route for the decontamination of chemical warfare agents (CWAs, namely the blistering agent-mustard gas/sulfur mustard (HD)) from contaminated surfaces, by decomposition and entrapment of CWAs and their degradation products inside the hydrogel films generated "on-site". The decontamination of the notorious warfare agent HD was successfully achieved through a dual hydrolytic-photocatalytic degradation process. Subsequently, the post-decontamination residues were encapsulated within a hydrogel membrane film produced via an ionic crosslinking mechanism. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (ALG) are the primary constituents of the decontaminating formulations. These polymeric components were chosen for this application due to their cost-effectiveness, versatility, and their ability to form hydrogen bonds, facilitating hydrogel formation. In the presence of divalent metallic ions, ALG undergoes ionic crosslinking, resulting in rapid gelation. This facilitated prompt PVA-ALG film curing and allowed for immediate decontamination of targeted surfaces. Additionally, bentonite nanoclay, titanium nanoparticles, and a tetrasulfonated nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) derivative were incorporated into the formulations to enhance absorption capacity, improve mechanical properties, and confer photocatalytic activity to the hydrogels obtained via Zn2+-mediated ionic crosslinking. The resulting hydrogels underwent characterization using a variety of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), viscometry, and mechanical analysis (shear, tensile, and compression tests), as well as swelling investigations, to establish the optimal formulations for CWA decontamination applications. The introduction of the fillers led to an increase in the maximum strain up to 0.14 MPa (maximum tensile resistance) and 0.39 MPa (maximum compressive stress). The UV-Vis characterization of the hydrogels allowed the determination of the band-gap value and absorption domain. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay was employed to evaluate the decontamination efficacy for a chemical warfare agent (sulfur mustard-HD) and confirmed that the ionic crosslinked hydrogel films achieved decontamination efficiencies of up to 92.3%. Furthermore, the presence of the photocatalytic species can facilitate the degradation of up to 90% of the HD removed from the surface and entrapped inside the hydrogel matrix, which renders the post-decontamination residue significantly less dangerous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Toader
- Military Technical Academy ‘Ferdinand I’, 39-49 George Coșbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.I.P.); (D.P.); (T.R.)
| | - Raluca-Elena Ginghina
- Research and Innovation Center for CBRN Defense and Ecology, 225 Olteniței Blvd., 077160 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-E.G.); (A.E.B.)
| | - Adriana Elena Bratu
- Research and Innovation Center for CBRN Defense and Ecology, 225 Olteniței Blvd., 077160 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-E.G.); (A.E.B.)
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alice Ionela Podaru
- Military Technical Academy ‘Ferdinand I’, 39-49 George Coșbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.I.P.); (D.P.); (T.R.)
| | - Daniela Pulpea
- Military Technical Academy ‘Ferdinand I’, 39-49 George Coșbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.I.P.); (D.P.); (T.R.)
| | - Traian Rotariu
- Military Technical Academy ‘Ferdinand I’, 39-49 George Coșbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.I.P.); (D.P.); (T.R.)
| | - Ana Mihaela Gavrilă
- National Institute of Research and Development for Chemistry and Petrochemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060041 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Aurel Diacon
- Military Technical Academy ‘Ferdinand I’, 39-49 George Coșbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.I.P.); (D.P.); (T.R.)
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
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Durmaz K, Misbach M, Danoy A, Salvi JP, Bloch E, Bourrelly S, Verrier B, Sohier J. An innovative Fuller's earth-based film-forming formulation for skin decontamination, through removal and entrapment of an organophosphorus compound, paraoxon-ethyl. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134190. [PMID: 38593659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Organophosphorus compounds (OPs), such as VX, pose a significant threat due to their neurotoxic and hazardous properties. Skin decontamination is essential to avoid irreversible effects. Fuller's earth (FE), a phyllosilicate conventionally employed in powder form, has demonstrated decontamination capacity against OPs. The aim of this study was to develop a formulation that forms a film on the skin, with a significant OP removal capacity (>95 %) coupled with sequestration capabilities, favorable drying time and mechanical properties to allow for easy application and removal, particularly in emergency context. Various formulations were prepared using different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), FE and surfactants. Their removal and sequestration capacity was tested using paraoxon-ethyl (POX), a chemical that simulates the behavior of VX. Formulations with removal capacity levels surpassing 95 % were mechanically characterized and cell viability assays were performed on Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (NHDF). The four most promising formulations were used to assess decontamination efficacy on pig ear skin explants. These formulations showed decontamination levels ranging from 84.4 ± 4.7 % to 96.5 ± 1.3 %, which is equivalent to current decontamination methods. These results suggest that this technology could be a novel and effective tool for skin decontamination following exposure to OPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kardelen Durmaz
- UMR 5305: Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Magaly Misbach
- UMR 5305: Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Alix Danoy
- UMR 5305: Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Paul Salvi
- UMR 5305: Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Emily Bloch
- UMR 7246: Laboratoire MADIREL, CNRS/Université Aix-Marseille, 52 avenue Escadrille Normandie - Niemen, 13013 Marseille, France
| | - Sandrine Bourrelly
- UMR 7246: Laboratoire MADIREL, CNRS/Université Aix-Marseille, 52 avenue Escadrille Normandie - Niemen, 13013 Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Verrier
- UMR 5305: Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Jerome Sohier
- UMR 5305: Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France.
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Nitschke BM, Beltran FO, Hahn MS, Grunlan MA. Trends in bioactivity: inducing and detecting mineralization of regenerative polymeric scaffolds. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:2720-2736. [PMID: 38410921 PMCID: PMC10935659 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02674d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Due to limitations of biological and alloplastic grafts, regenerative engineering has emerged as a promising alternative to treat bone defects. Bioactive polymeric scaffolds are an integral part of such an approach. Bioactivity importantly induces hydroxyapatite mineralization that promotes osteoinductivity and osseointegration with surrounding bone tissue. Strategies to confer bioactivity to polymeric scaffolds utilize bioceramic fillers, coatings and surface treatments, and additives. These approaches can also favorably impact mechanical and degradation properties. A variety of fabrication methods are utilized to prepare scaffolds with requisite morphological features. The bioactivity of scaffolds may be evaluated with a broad set of techniques, including in vitro (acellular and cellular) and in vivo methods. Herein, we highlight contemporary and emerging approaches to prepare and assess scaffold bioactivity, as well as existing challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M Nitschke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Felipe O Beltran
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Mariah S Hahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Melissa A Grunlan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Toader G, Diacon A, Rusen E, Mangalagiu II, Alexandru M, Zorilă FL, Mocanu A, Boldeiu A, Gavrilă AM, Trică B, Pulpea D, Necolau MI, Istrate M. Peelable Alginate Films Reinforced by Carbon Nanofibers Decorated with Antimicrobial Nanoparticles for Immediate Biological Decontamination of Surfaces. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2775. [PMID: 37887926 PMCID: PMC10609245 DOI: 10.3390/nano13202775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the synthesis and characterization of alginate-based nanocomposite peelable films, reinforced by carbon nanofibers (CNFs) decorated with nanoparticles that possess remarkable antimicrobial properties. These materials are suitable for immediate decontamination applications, being designed as fluid formulations that can be applied on contaminated surfaces, and subsequently, they can rapidly form a peelable film via divalent ion crosslinking and can be easily peeled and disposed of. Silver, copper, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using superficial oxidized carbon nanofibers (CNF-ox) as support. To obtain the decontaminating formulations, sodium alginate (ALG) was further incorporated into the colloidal solutions containing the antimicrobial nanoparticles. The properties of the initial CNF-ox-NP-ALG solutions and the resulting peelable nanocomposite hydrogels (obtained by crosslinking with zinc acetate) were assessed by rheological measurements, and mechanical investigations, respectively. The evaluation of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for the synthesized nanoparticles (silver, copper, and zinc oxide) was performed. The best values for MIC and MBC were obtained for CNF-ox decorated with AgNPs for both types of bacterial strains: Gram-negative (MIC and MBC values (mg/L): E. coli-3 and 108; P. aeruginosa-3 and 54) and Gram-positive (MIC and MBC values (mg/L): S. aureus-13 and 27). The film-forming decontaminating formulations were also subjected to a microbiology assay consisting of the time-kill test, MIC and MBC estimations, and evaluation of the efficacity of peelable coatings in removing the biological agents from the contaminated surfaces. The best decontamination efficiencies against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa varied between 97.40% and 99.95% when employing silver-decorated CNF-ox in the decontaminating formulations. These results reveal an enhanced antimicrobial activity brought about by the synergistic effect of silver and CNF-ox, coupled with an efficient incorporation of the contaminants inside the peelable films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Toader
- Military Technical Academy “Ferdinand I”, 39-49 G. Cosbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.D.); (D.P.)
| | - Aurel Diacon
- Military Technical Academy “Ferdinand I”, 39-49 G. Cosbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.D.); (D.P.)
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.); (M.I.N.)
| | - Edina Rusen
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.); (M.I.N.)
| | - Ionel I. Mangalagiu
- Faculty of Chemistry, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol 1st Blvd., 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mioara Alexandru
- Microbiology Laboratory, Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului St., 077125 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (F.L.Z.)
| | - Florina Lucica Zorilă
- Microbiology Laboratory, Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului St., 077125 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (F.L.Z.)
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Indepententei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mocanu
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.); (M.I.N.)
- National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies—IMT Bucharest, 126A Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, 077190 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Adina Boldeiu
- National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies—IMT Bucharest, 126A Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, 077190 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ana Mihaela Gavrilă
- National Institute of Research and Development for Chemistry and Petrochemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060041 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.G.); (B.T.)
| | - Bogdan Trică
- National Institute of Research and Development for Chemistry and Petrochemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060041 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.G.); (B.T.)
| | - Daniela Pulpea
- Military Technical Academy “Ferdinand I”, 39-49 G. Cosbuc Blvd., 050141 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.); (A.D.); (D.P.)
| | - Mădălina Ioana Necolau
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.); (M.I.N.)
- Advanced Polymer Materials Group, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marcel Istrate
- S.C. Stimpex S.A., 46-48 Nicolae Teclu Street, 032368 Bucharest, Romania;
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Antimicrobial Activity and Degradation Ability Study on Nanoparticle-Enriched Formulations Specially Designed for the Neutralization of Real and Simulated Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15010097. [PMID: 35056158 PMCID: PMC8778455 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The present work reveals a comprehensive decontamination study on real and simulated biological and chemical warfare agents (BCWA). The emphasis was on evaluating the antimicrobial activity against real biological warfare agents, such as Bacillus anthracis, and also the capacity of neutralizing real chemical warfare agents, such as mustard gas or soman, by employing three different types of organic solutions enriched with ZnO, TiO2, and zeolite nanoparticles, specially designed for decontamination applications. The capacity of decontaminating BCWA was evaluated through specific investigation tools, including surface monitoring with the swabs method, minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) evaluations, time-kill tests for microorganisms, and GC-MS for monitoring chemical agents on different types of surfaces (glass, painted metal, rubber, and cotton butyl rubber). These tests revealed high decontamination factors for BCWA even after only 10 min, accomplishing the requirements imposed by NATO standards. At the completion of the decontamination process, the formulations reached 100% efficacy for Bacillus anthracis after 10–15 min, for soman after 20–30 min, and for mustard gas in an interval comprised between 5 and 24 h depending on the type of surface analyzed.
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