abstract
Polymicrobial communities are seen to be a sign of health, but they can turn detrimental when an excess of pathogenic species leads to recurring vaginal infections. This microbiological imbalance may decrease women's fertility, increasing also the risk of infection by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and/or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There is a worldwide need for smart/sustainable solutions to tackle these types of infections. Hereupon, we investigated, as a potential solution, the use of crayfish chitosan-based membrane as a mucoadhesive, antimicrobial, biocompatible and biodegradable material. Chitosan was chemically extracted with a process yield of ca. 63 % and a degree of deacetylation of ca. 65 %. Further chitosan was characterized by FTIR, DSC, XRD and zeta potential. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were tested by microbicide concentration and ABTS methods. The extracted chitosan was confirmed to be antioxidant and antimicrobial against Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin resistant and susceptible strains). Vaginal films using chitosan extracted from crayfish shells were produced by solvent casting, and the biological profile was tested in simulated vaginal fluid as a proof of concept. The main data showed that the vaginal films prepared were active against several microorganisms responsible for vaginal infections, demonstrating their potential in the field.
keywords
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY; CHITIN; EXTRACTION
subject category
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Polymer Science
authors
Conde, A; Borges, S; Baptista-Silva, S; Veloso, T; Pereira, JL; Ventura, SPM; Pintado, MME
our authors
Sónia Patrícia Marques Ventura
Assistant Professor
Telma Luísa Machado Veloso
PhD StudentProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.544 99/UIDB/50011/2020) , UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDP/5 0011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020) , financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) . We acknowledge financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020) , through national funds. This work was also supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) through project UID/Multi/50016/2020. T. Veloso (SFRH/BD/147346/2019) is grateful to FCT for her doctoral grant.