Quaternized cashew gum: An anti-staphylococcal and biocompatible cationic polymer for biotechnological applications

Abstract

Chemical modifications to cashew gum (CG) structure have been previously reported to obtain new physicochemical characteristics, however until now there were no reports of modifications by introduction of new functional groups to add cationic character. This study presents a quaternization route for CG using a quaternary ammonium reagent. The chemical features of the quaternized cashew gum derivatives (QCG) were analyzed by: FTIR, elemental analysis, degree of substitution, Zeta potential, H NMR andH-C correlation (HSQC). QCG were evaluated for their anti-staphylococcal activity by determining minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations against pathogenic Staphylococcus spp. and by imaging using atomic force microscopy. Moreover, the mammalian cell biocompatibility were also assessed through hemolytic and cell toxicity assays. QCG presented promising antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and biocompatibility on tested cells. These results show that QCG could be a promising tool in the development of biomaterials with an anti-septic action.

Biopolymer Extracted from Anadenanthera colubrina (Red Angico Gum) Exerts Therapeutic Potential in Mice: Antidiarrheal Activity and Safety Assessment

“…Thus, these results suggest that these concentrations of RAG do not exert antibacterial activity against E. coli. Similar results have been observed by Quelemes et al [40] where the use of cashew gum, which is structurally similar to RAG, did not inhibit bacterial growth within the range of concentrations tested. It is known that molecular weight, charge density, and/or the distribution of the polysaccharides play an important role in their biological activity [85].…”

“…A discrete amount of nitrogen (0.47%) in RAG may be related to traces of proteins, as has been described by De Paula, Budd and Rodrigues [42] and Silva et al [26]. These results are consistent with those described in the literature about the elemental composition of isolated angico gum and cashew gum [38,40].…”

“…This analysis showed a negative zeta value (~24 mV) ( Figure 1b). Similar loads have been reported by Sousa et al [38] for isolated angico gum and Quelemes et al [40] and Silva et al [41] for cashew gum.…”

Characterization of Native and Graft Copolymerized Albizia Gums and Their Application as a Flocculant

“…Extensive studies have been carried out on polysaccharide gums because they are sustainable, biodegradable, and biosafe [8,9]. The most utilized gum with diverse industrial application is gum arabic [9,10].…”

“…The demand for major gums such as gum arabic, guar gum, and xanthan gum for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and allied industries has led to the concomitant increase in their cost. New inexpensive gum exudates obtained from diverse plants have attracted the attention of researchers for a wide range of industrial applications [8,9,11,12]. Hence, the need to search for gums from lesser known and underutilized plants species such as Albizia, which will be economical and readily available, has become expedient.…”