resumo
The design of functional materials capable of fighting fungal infections is of paramount importance given the intricate problem of multidrug-resistant pathogenic fungi. Herein, nanocomposites consisting of cross-linked poly([2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride) (PMETAC) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) were prepared, characterized and tested towards the polymorphic fungus Candida albicans. The BNC three-dimensional network enabled the in-situ polymerization of the non-toxic and bioactive quaternary-ammonium monomer, which originated transparent nanocomposites containing 10 and 40 wt.% of cross-linked PMETAC. Furthermore, the nanocomposites exhibit UV-A and UV-B blocking properties, high water-uptake capacity, thermal stability up to 200 degrees C, good viscoelastic (storage modulus > 1.7 GPa) and mechanical (Young's modulus >= 2.4 GPa) properties and are non-cytotoxic to human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). The fungal inactivation reached a 4.4 +/- 0.14-log CFU reduction for the nanocomposite containing only 10 wt.% of cross-linked PMETAC. Hence, these bioactive and non-cytotoxic materials can constitute potentially effective systems for the treatment of C. albicans infections.
palavras-chave
BACTERIAL CELLULOSE; ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY; POLY(IONIC LIQUID)S; REMOVAL PROPERTIES; NATURAL-PRODUCTS; CHLORIDE; PATHOGENICITY; COMPOSITES; COPOLYMERS; RADIATION
categoria
Chemistry; Polymer Science
autores
Vilela, C; Oliveira, H; Almeida, A; Silvestre, AJD; Freire, CSR
nossos autores
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Professor Catedrático
Carla Vilela
Professor Auxiliar
Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros
Investigador Coordenador
Helena Oliveira
Bolseiro de pós-Doutoramentoagradecimentos
This work was developed within the scope of the projects CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials(UID/CTM/50011/2019), and CESAM (UID/AMB/50017/2019), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC. The research contracts of C. Vilela and H. Oliveira are funded by national funds (OE), through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. FCT is also acknowledged for the research contract under Stimulus of Scientific Employment 2017 to C.S.R. Freire (CEECIND/00464/2017).