Production of Biocompatible and Antimicrobial Bacterial Cellulose Polymers Functionalized by RGDC Grafting Groups and Gentamicin

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC), a three-dimensional fibril, is a natural polymer that can be used for many applications. BC effectiveness may be improved by enhancing surface characteristics contributing to a better physiologic interaction with human and animal cells and to intrinsically present antimicrobial agents. In the present study, gentamicin-activated BC membranes were obtained by chemically grafting RGDC peptides (R: arginine; G: glycine; D: aspartic acid; C: cysteine) using coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) followed by covalent attachment of gentamicin onto the surface of the BC membrane network. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses showed that the BC-APTES contained 0.7% of silicon in terms of elemental composition, corresponding to a grafting ratio of 1:12. The presence of silicon and nitrogen in the BC-APTES confirmed the surface functionalization of the BC membrane. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses show the formation of the secondary amide as supported by the valence bond C═O (ν(C═O)), a characteristic vibrational transition at 1650 cm(-1) which is particularly intense with the BC-RGDC-gentamicin membrane. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses showed a low level of carbon and nitrogen (C + N) in pure BC but a high level of (C + N) in BC-RGDC-gentamicin confirming the surface modification of the BC membrane by RGDC and gentamicin enrichment. Of great interest, the gentamicin-RGDC-grafted BC membranes are bactericidal against Streptococcus mutans but nontoxic to human dermal fibroblasts and thus may be useful for multiple applications such as improved wound healing and drug delivery systems.

Antibacterial Hydrogels

“…The composite gel of ZnO, GEN, and CS significantly improved the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against G+ and G− bacteria compared with the GEN control group ( Figure 10 ). 168 Bacterial CEL polymers grafted by RGDC (R: arginine; G: glycine; D: aspartic acid; C: cysteine) and GEN offered an inspiring and effective antibacterial composite 169. CIP was combined with different materials, from metal nanoparticles to amphiphiles, to develop synergetic effective antibacterial hydrogels.…”

Nanocellulose

“…To enhance the antibacterial effect of BNC-based composites, cellulosic membranes were grafted with tetrapeptides (arginine/glycine/aspartic acid/ cysteine) and gentamicin was subsequently covalently attached to them. The resulting composite structure, while being active against Streptococcus mutans , was nontoxic to human dermal fi broblasts, which recommends it as very promising for wound dressings [ 51 ]. CNC covalently attached to a porphyrin ring was tested as a nanomaterial with photobactericidal properties (inactivates bacteria by photodynamic effect [ 52 ]).…”

Tailor-made functional surfaces based on cellulose-derived materials

“…Bacterial cellulose films containing blended nisin, an antibacterial peptide, inhibited Listeria monocytogenes on processed meats and thus be potential food package (Nguyen et al 2008). Membranes of bacterial cellulose with surface-grafted gentamicin and RGDC peptides were bactericidal against Streptococcus mutans (Rouabhia et al 2014).…”