Research

11 pages, 2217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Delivery of Nano-Silver and Vancomycin via Silica Nanopollens for Enhanced Antibacterial Functions

by Chengang Ni, Yuening Zhong, Weixi Wu, Yaping Song, Pooyan Makvandi, Chengzhong Yu and Hao Song

Antibiotics 2022, 11(5), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11050685 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2523

Abstract

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria have led to a great threat to public health. With the significant advances in nanotechnology in recent decades, nanomaterials have emerged as a powerful tool to boost antibacterial performance due to either intrinsic bactericidal properties or by enhancing [...] Read more.

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria have led to a great threat to public health. With the significant advances in nanotechnology in recent decades, nanomaterials have emerged as a powerful tool to boost antibacterial performance due to either intrinsic bactericidal properties or by enhancing the delivery efficiency of antibiotics for effective pathogen killing. Vancomycin, as one of the most widely employed antimicrobial peptides, has a potent bactericidal activity, but at the same time shows a limited bioavailability. Silver nanoparticles have also been extensively explored and were found to have a well-recognized antibacterial activity and limited resistance potential; however, how to prevent nanosized Ag particles from aggregation in biological conditions is challenging. In this study, we aimed to combine the advantages of both vancomycin and nano-Ag for enhanced bacterial killing, where both antibacterial agents were successfully loaded onto a silica nanoparticle with a pollen-like morphology. The morphology of nano-Ag-decorated silica nanopollens was characterized using transmission electron microscopy and elemental mapping through energy dispersive spectroscopy. Silver nanoparticles with a size of 10–25 nm were observed as well-distributed on the surface of silica nanoparticles of around 200 nm. The unique design of a spiky morphology of silica nano-carriers promoted the adhesion of nanoparticles towards bacterial surfaces to promote localized drug release for bacterial killing, where the bacterial damage was visualized through scanning electron microscopy. Enhanced bactericidal activity was demonstrated through this co-delivery of vancomycin and nano-Ag, decreasing the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) towards E. coli and S. epidermidis down to 15 and 10 µg/mL. This study provides an efficient antimicrobial nano-strategy to address potential bacterial infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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25 pages, 7053 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibition of Quorum Sensing and Virulence Factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Biologically Synthesized Gold and Selenium Nanoparticles

by Soha Lotfy Elshaer and Mona I. Shaaban

Antibiotics 2021, 10(12), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121461 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2508

Abstract

The development of microbial resistance requires a novel approach to control microbial infection. This study implies the microbial synthesis of nanometals and assessment of their antivirulent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Streptomyces isolate S91 was isolated from soil with substantial ability for growth [...] Read more.

The development of microbial resistance requires a novel approach to control microbial infection. This study implies the microbial synthesis of nanometals and assessment of their antivirulent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Streptomyces isolate S91 was isolated from soil with substantial ability for growth at high salts concentrations. The cell-free supernatant of S91was utilized for the synthesis of Au-NPs and Se-NPs. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis of Streptomyces S91 revealed that S91 had a high similarity (98.82%) to Streptomyces olivaceous. The biosynthesized Au-NPs and Se-NPs were characterized using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The quorum sensing inhibitory (QSI) potential of Au-NPs and Se-NPs and the antivirulence activity was examined against P. aeruginosa. The QSI potential was confirmed using RT-PCR. The synthesized Au-NPs and Se-NPs were monodispersed spherical shapes with particle size of 12.2 and 67.98 nm, respectively. Au-NPs and Se-NPs eliminated QS in P. aeruginosa at a concentration range of 2.3–18.5 µg/mL for Au-NPs and 2.3–592 µg/mL for Se-NPs. In addition, Au-NPs and Se-NPs significantly inhibited QS-related virulence factors, such as pyocyanin, protease and, elastase in P. aeruginosa. At the molecular level, Au-NPs and Se-NPs significantly suppressed the relative expression of QS genes and toxins. Hence, the biosynthesized Au-NPS and Se-NPS could be substantial inhibitors of QS and virulence traits of P. aeruginosa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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18 pages, 3448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Submicron-Sized Vermiculite Assisted Oregano Oil for Controlled Release and Long-Term Bacterial Inhibition

by Sukitha Geethma Kothalawala, Jun Zhang, Yue Wang and Chengzhong Yu

Antibiotics 2021, 10(11), 1324; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10111324 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2039

Abstract

Oregano essential oil (OEO) is a natural compound consisting of potent antibiotic molecules. Its volatility is the major obstacle against the transportation and anti-bacterial performance. In this work, submicron-sized vermiculite (SMV) particles were prepared from Australian vermiculite clay by ball milling, and tested [...] Read more.

Oregano essential oil (OEO) is a natural compound consisting of potent antibiotic molecules. Its volatility is the major obstacle against the transportation and anti-bacterial performance. In this work, submicron-sized vermiculite (SMV) particles were prepared from Australian vermiculite clay by ball milling, and tested as a potential particulate-carrier for OEO. The loading of OEO by SMV can be easily achieved by mechanical mixing. Compared to raw vermiculite and free OEO, the OEO-loaded SMV displayed sustained isothermal release behaviour of OEO and demonstrated enhanced antibacterial performance in in vitro antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). This study provides a facile and commercially viable approach in designing advantageous carriers for volatile actives in antimicrobial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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16 pages, 6065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Biofilm Coatings Based on Chitosan and Lysozyme Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles

by Vera Alexandra Spirescu, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Ștefan Slave, Alexandra Cătalina Bîrcă, Gabriela Dorcioman, Valentina Grumezescu, Alina Maria Holban, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Bogdan Ștefan Vasile, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Ionela Cristina Nica, Miruna Silvia Stan and Ecaterina Andronescu

Antibiotics 2021, 10(10), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10101269 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3003

Abstract

Biofilms represent a common and increasingly challenging problem in healthcare practices worldwide, producing persistent and difficult to manage infections. Researchers have started developing antibiotic-free treatment alternatives in order to decrease the risk of resistant microbial strain selection and for the efficient management of [...] Read more.

Biofilms represent a common and increasingly challenging problem in healthcare practices worldwide, producing persistent and difficult to manage infections. Researchers have started developing antibiotic-free treatment alternatives in order to decrease the risk of resistant microbial strain selection and for the efficient management of antibiotic tolerant biofilm infections. The present study reports the fabrication and characterization of magnetite-based nanostructured coatings for producing biofilm-resistant surfaces. Specifically, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were functionalized with chitosan (CS) and were blended with lysozyme (LyZ) and were deposited using the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. A variety of characterization techniques were employed to investigate the physicochemical properties of both nanoparticles and nanocoatings. The biological characterization of the coatings assessed through cell viability and antimicrobial tests showed biocompatibility on osteoblasts as well as antiadhesive and antibiofilm activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains and no cytotoxic effect against human-cultured diploid cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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12 pages, 1452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insight on the Structure-to-Activity of Carbosilane Metallodendrimers in the Fight against Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

by Celia Llamazares, Natalia Sanz del Olmo, Juan Soliveri, F. Javier de la Mata, José Luis Copa-Patiño and Sandra García-Gallego

Antibiotics 2021, 10(5), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10050589 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1800

Abstract

Biofilm formation is a critical health concern, involved in most human bacterial infections. Combatting this mechanism, which increases resistance to traditional antibiotics and host immune defences, requires novel therapeutic approaches. The remarkable biocide activity and the monodispersity of carbosilane metallodendrimers make them excellent [...] Read more.

Biofilm formation is a critical health concern, involved in most human bacterial infections. Combatting this mechanism, which increases resistance to traditional antibiotics and host immune defences, requires novel therapeutic approaches. The remarkable biocide activity and the monodispersity of carbosilane metallodendrimers make them excellent platforms to evaluate the impact of different structural parameters on the biological activity. In this work, we explore the influence of iminopyridine ring substituents on the antibacterial activity against planktonic and biofilm Staphylococcus aureus. New families of first-generation Ru(II) and Cu(II) metallodendrimers were synthesised and analysed, in comparison to the non-substituted counterparts. The results showed that the presence of methyl or methoxy groups in meta position to the imine bond decreased the overall positive charge on the metal ion and, subsequently, the activity against planktonic bacteria. However, it seemed a relevant parameter to consider for the prevention of biofilm formation, if they contribute to increasing the overall lipophilicity. An optimum balance of the charge and lipophilicity of the metallodrug, accomplished through structural design, will provide effective biocide agents against bacteria biofilms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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Review

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31 pages, 1297 KiB

Open AccessReview

Antimicrobial Nanomaterials for Food Packaging

by Vasanti Suvarna, Arya Nair, Rashmi Mallya, Tabassum Khan and Abdelwahab Omri

Antibiotics 2022, 11(6), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11060729 - 29 May 2022

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5537

Abstract

Food packaging plays a key role in offering safe and quality food products to consumers by providing protection and extending shelf life. Food packaging is a multifaceted field based on food science and engineering, microbiology, and chemistry, all of which have contributed significantly [...] Read more.

Food packaging plays a key role in offering safe and quality food products to consumers by providing protection and extending shelf life. Food packaging is a multifaceted field based on food science and engineering, microbiology, and chemistry, all of which have contributed significantly to maintaining physicochemical attributes such as color, flavor, moisture content, and texture of foods and their raw materials, in addition to ensuring freedom from oxidation and microbial deterioration. Antimicrobial food packaging systems, in addition to their function as conventional food packaging, are designed to arrest microbial growth on food surfaces, thereby enhancing food stability and quality. Nanomaterials with unique physiochemical and antibacterial properties are widely explored in food packaging as preservatives and antimicrobials, to extend the shelf life of packed food products. Various nanomaterials that are used in food packaging include nanocomposites composing nanoparticles such as silver, copper, gold, titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mesoporous silica and graphene-based inorganic nanoparticles; gelatin; alginate; cellulose; chitosan-based polymeric nanoparticles; lipid nanoparticles; nanoemulsion; nanoliposomes; nanosponges; and nanofibers. Antimicrobial nanomaterial-based packaging systems are fabricated to exhibit greater efficiency against microbial contaminants. Recently, smart food packaging systems indicating the presence of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms have been investigated by various research groups. The present review summarizes recent updates on various nanomaterials used in the field of food packaging technology, with potential applications as antimicrobial, antioxidant equipped with technology conferring smart functions and mechanisms in food packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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23 pages, 910 KiB

Open AccessReview

Do Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Have Significant Antibacterial Properties?

by Sergey V. Gudkov, Dmitriy E. Burmistrov, Dmitriy A. Serov, Maksim B. Rebezov, Anastasia A. Semenova and Andrey B. Lisitsyn

Antibiotics 2021, 10(7), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10070884 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 118 | Viewed by 6969

Abstract

The use of metal oxide nanoparticles is one of the promising ways for overcoming antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have found wide applications in different fields of biomedicine. Several studies have suggested using the antimicrobial potential of IONPs. Iron is [...] Read more.

The use of metal oxide nanoparticles is one of the promising ways for overcoming antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have found wide applications in different fields of biomedicine. Several studies have suggested using the antimicrobial potential of IONPs. Iron is one of the key microelements and plays an important role in the function of living systems of different hierarchies. Iron abundance and its physiological functions bring into question the ability of iron compounds at the same concentrations, on the one hand, to inhibit the microbial growth and, on the other hand, to positively affect mammalian cells. At present, multiple studies have been published that show the antimicrobial effect of IONPs against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Several studies have established that IONPs have a low toxicity to eukaryotic cells. It gives hope that IONPs can be considered potential antimicrobial agents of the new generation that combine antimicrobial action and high biocompatibility with the human body. This review is intended to inform readers about the available data on the antimicrobial properties of IONPs, a range of susceptible bacteria, mechanisms of the antibacterial action, dependence of the antibacterial action of IONPs on the method for synthesis, and the biocompatibility of IONPs with eukaryotic cells and tissues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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13 pages, 3005 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Entomopathogenic Fungi: Antimicrobial Resistance, Nanopesticides, and Toxicity

by Tárcio S. Santos, Tarcisio M. Silva, Juliana C. Cardoso, Ricardo L. C. de Albuquerque-Júnior, Aleksandra Zielinska, Eliana B. Souto, Patrícia Severino and Marcelo da Costa Mendonça

Antibiotics 2021, 10(7), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10070852 - 13 Jul 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 7165

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles are widely used in the biomedical and agri-food fields due to their versatility. The use of biological methods for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles has increased considerably due to their feasibility and high biocompatibility. In general, microorganisms have been widely explored [...] Read more.

Silver nanoparticles are widely used in the biomedical and agri-food fields due to their versatility. The use of biological methods for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles has increased considerably due to their feasibility and high biocompatibility. In general, microorganisms have been widely explored for the production of silver nanoparticles for several applications. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of entomopathogenic fungi for the biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles, in comparison to the use of other filamentous fungi, and the possibility of using these nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents and for the control of insect pests. In addition, the in vitro methods commonly used to assess the toxicity of these materials are discussed. Several species of filamentous fungi are known to have the ability to form silver nanoparticles, but few studies have been conducted on the potential of entomopathogenic fungi to produce these materials. The investigation of the toxicity of silver nanoparticles is usually carried out in vitro through cytotoxicity/genotoxicity analyses, using well-established methodologies, such as MTT and comet assays, respectively. The use of silver nanoparticles obtained through entomopathogenic fungi against insects is mainly focused on mosquitoes that transmit diseases to humans, with satisfactory results regarding mortality estimates. Entomopathogenic fungi can be employed in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles for potential use in insect control, but there is a need to expand studies on toxicity so to enable their use also in insect control in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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28 pages, 3606 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks as Fluorescence Sensors for Food Safety

by Xilin Dou, Kai Sun, Haobin Chen, Yifei Jiang, Li Wu, Jun Mei, Zhaoyang Ding and Jing Xie

Antibiotics 2021, 10(4), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10040358 - 28 Mar 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4618

Abstract

Food safety has attracted attention worldwide, and how to detect various kinds of hazardous substances in an efficient way has always been a focus. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of hybrid porous materials formed by organic ligand and metal ions. Nanoscale MOFs [...] Read more.

Food safety has attracted attention worldwide, and how to detect various kinds of hazardous substances in an efficient way has always been a focus. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of hybrid porous materials formed by organic ligand and metal ions. Nanoscale MOFs (NMOFs) exhibit great potential in serving as fluorescence sensors for food safety due to their superior properties including high accuracy, great stability, fast response, etc. In this review, we focus on the recent development of NMOFs sensing for food safety. Several typical methods of NMOFs synthesis are presented. NMOFs-based fluorescence sensors for contaminants and adulterants, such as antibiotics, food additives, ions and mycotoxin etc. are summarized, and the sensing mechanisms are also presented. We explore these challenges in detail and provide suggestions about how they may be surmounted. This review could help the exploration of NMOFs sensors in food related work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

21 pages, 939 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Microfluidic Tools for Enhanced Characterization of Therapeutic Stem Cells and Prediction of Their Potential Antimicrobial Secretome

by Pasquale Marrazzo, Valeria Pizzuti, Silvia Zia, Azzurra Sargenti, Daniele Gazzola, Barbara Roda, Laura Bonsi and Francesco Alviano

Antibiotics 2021, 10(7), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10070750 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3714

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is creating enormous attention on the development of new antibiotic-free therapy strategies for bacterial diseases. Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) are the most promising candidates in current clinical trials and included in several cell-therapy protocols. Together with the well-known immunomodulatory and [...] Read more.

Antibiotic resistance is creating enormous attention on the development of new antibiotic-free therapy strategies for bacterial diseases. Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) are the most promising candidates in current clinical trials and included in several cell-therapy protocols. Together with the well-known immunomodulatory and regenerative potential of the MSC secretome, these cells have shown direct and indirect anti-bacterial effects. However, the low reproducibility and standardization of MSCs from different sources are the current limitations prior to the purification of cell-free secreted antimicrobial peptides and exosomes. In order to improve MSC characterization, novel label-free functional tests, evaluating the biophysical properties of the cells, will be advantageous for their cell profiling, population sorting, and quality control. We discuss the potential of emerging microfluidic technologies providing new insights into density, shape, and size of live cells, starting from heterogeneous or 3D cultured samples. The prospective application of these technologies to studying MSC populations may contribute to developing new biopharmaceutical strategies with a view to naturally overcoming bacterial defense mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Nanomaterials)

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