Dehydroabietylamine-Based Cellulose Nanofibril Films: A New Class of Sustainable Biomaterials for Highly Efficient, Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Effects

Abstract

The design of antimicrobial surfaces as integral parts of advanced biomaterials is nowadays a high research priority, as the accumulation of microorganisms on surfaces inflicts substantial costs on the health and industry sectors. At present, there is a growing interest in designing functional materials from polymers abundant in nature, such as cellulose, that combine sustainability with outstanding mechanical properties and economic production. There is also the need to find suitable replacements for antimicrobial silver-based agents due to environmental toxicity and spread of resistance to metal antimicrobials. Herein we report the unprecedented decoration of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films with dehydroabietylamine 1 (CNF-CMC-1), to give an innovative contact-active surface active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including the methicillin-resistant S. aureus MRSA14TK301, with low potential to spread resistance and good biocompatibility, all achieved with low surface coverage. CNF-CMC-1 was particularly effective against S. aureus ATCC12528, causing virtually complete reduction of the total cells from 105 colony forming units (CFU)/mL bacterial suspensions, after 24 h of contact. This gentle chemical modification of the surface of CNF fully retained the beneficial properties of the original film, including moisture buffering and strength, relevant in many potential applications. Our originally designed surface represents a new class of ecofriendly biomaterials that optimizes the performance of CNF by adding antimicrobial properties without the need for environmentally toxic silver.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ld-08 isolated from Lilium davidii exhibits antifungal and growth-promoting properties

“…Cascaroside B, putatively identified in the present study, is a well-known flavonoid and was previously reported to possess antifungal properties [56]. The antifungal activities of dehydroabietylamine, epiandrosterone, and nocodazolewere previously reported [57][58][59]. Pyochelin, reported in the present study, was previously known as an iron chelator produced in endophytes.…”

Non-leaching, Highly Biocompatible Nanocellulose Surfaces That Efficiently Resist Fouling by Bacteria in an Artificial Dermis Model

“…26 Despite these general considerations, there is yet another feature of CNF films functionalized with dehydroabietic acid derivatives that is highly relevant when discussing their potential mode of action. In line with our previous observations, 58 charge, hydrophobicity, and surface topography Statistical analysis was done using a 2-tailed independent t-test. CNF-CMC-7b showed an average reduction in recovered CFU of 1.4 log (95% CI: 0.9−1.9, p < 0.05, n = 9) compared to CNF.…”

“…Never-dried birch kraft pulp was used to prepare CNF films, as reported previously. 58 The pulp dispersion was obtained by disintegrating using a high-pressure fluidizer (Microfluidics, M-110Y, Microfluidics Int. Co., Newton, MA) and ACS Applied Bio Materials circulated for 6 passes.…”

Physical Membrane-Stress-Mediated Antimicrobial Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystals

“…Polymer brushes are highly efficient in preventing organic and biological fouling , but require a laborious synthesis and harmful chemicals. The production of carbon-based nanomaterials also requires complicated and time-consuming processes. , Metallic nanoparticles can be easily synthesized, and their microbial toxicity has been studied at length . Still, their toxicity to aquatic organisms, persistence in the environment, and ability to trigger resistance mechanisms in bacteria limit their application .…”