Thiol modified chitosan-silica nanohybrid for antibacterial,antioxidant and drug delivery application

Chitosan exhibits great versatility in various biomedical fields and mesoporous silica nanoparticles have emerged as an interesting material in biomedical areas owing to their outstanding physio-chemical properties. The combination of inorganic silica and organic polymer such as chitosan, make them suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications. Here, we have explored the benefits of chitosan and silica by synthesizing chitosan-silica nanohybrid. In the synthesis of chitosan-silica (CS–Si) nanohybrid, chitosan is modified by thioglycolic acid and mesoporous silica MCM-41(Mobil Composition of Matter number 41) is functionalized by 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-1-propane thiol (TMSP). The modified chitosan and thiol functionalized MCM-41(inorganic network) is then linked through disulfide bond by oxidation process or oxidative coupling, resulting in the formation of inorganic-organic hybrid material. The hybrid material was characterized by FTIR, Raman, XRD, TGA, Zeta potential, EDX, Proton NMR and SEM techniques. The antibacterial results indicated that gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria exhibit better inhibition zone than gram-positive (B. subtilis) bacteria. The DPPH scavenging capability of synthesized hybrid was found to be 68%. The drug (quercetin) encapsulation efficiency of hybrid material was calculated to be 92.38% and more drug releases in acidic medium (pH 5.0) than at pH 7.4, so we can conclude that hybrid material shows pH-dependent drug releasing behavior. The results show that synthesized nano-hybrid material possess good antibacterial and antioxidant activities and is also a good nanocarrier for drug delivery application.     

In Vitro Biomineralization and Bulk Characterization of Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite Composite Microparticles Prepared by Emulsification Cross-Linking Method: Orthopedic Use

Chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite microparticles were prepared by a solid-in-water-in-oil emulsification cross-linking method. The characteristics and activity in presence of simulated body fluid for 14 and 21?days were investigated. The size distribution, surface morphology, and microstructure of these biomaterials were evaluated. The scanning electron microscopy revealed an aggregate of microparticles with a particle size, ranged from 4 to 10???m. The deposited calcium phosphate was studied using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission?spectroscopy analysis of phosphorus. These results show that the mineral, formed on microparticles, was a mixture of carbonated hydroxyapatite and calcite. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that calcium phosphate crystals growth was in form of rods organized as concentric triangular packets interconnected to each other by junctions. Interaction between chitosan and growing carbonated hydroxyapatite and calcite crystals are responsible for a composite growth into triangular and spherical shapes. The results demonstrated that these microparticles were potential materials for bone repair.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel O-functionalized aminated chitosan derivatives as antibacterial,antioxidant and anticorrosion for 316L stainless steel in simulated body fluid

Chitosan’s Schiff base derivatives are taking the attention of scientists as a promising biomaterial for various applications. In this study, O-functionalized aminated chitosan (O-F-Am-Ch) was coupled with 4,4-dimethyl amino-benzaldehyde and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone to produce Schiff bases (I) and (II), respectively. The chemical and physical properties of the new derivatives were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) that show a significant band for C=C between 1400 and 1600 cm⁻¹, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), which demonstrate an increase in the thermal stability of new derivatives than O-F-Am-Ch and scanning electron microscope (SEM) that indicates a slight increase in the rough structure of the surface. In addition, 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays that examined the antioxidant properties of the new Schiff bases. The biocidal activity against four different bacterial strains [two gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and two gram-positive (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus)] demonstrates significant improvement of the inhibition activity compare to O-F-Am-Ch with more activity against Gram-negative bacteria than that against gram-positive bacteria.As an implanted alloy, 316L stainless steel is used as a temporary biomaterial in different countries without any pretreatment. Our study focused on further improving the alloy features by investigating the protection efficiency of O-F-Am-Ch and the synthesized Schiff bases for the 316L stainless steel surface against corrosion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The corrosion inhibition of these compounds was investigated using two electrochemical methods (potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). The results suggested the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the compounds under investigation. Furthermore, they demonstrated a considerable dose-dependent inhibiting corrosion of 316L stainless steel in SBF, whereas the inhibition efficiency exceeds 77% at 1000 ppm for the Schiff bases II. In conclusion, the tested derivatives show promising properties to refine stainless steel for implant applications.     

Drug–polymer interaction in the all-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> retinoic acid release from chitosan microparticles

Chitosan microparticles were prepared with the purpose of incorporating all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Morphology, drug content, release behavior and the interaction between chitosan and ATRA were investigated. Chitosan microparticles presented irregular and rough surface and drug content of 47±3%. The results of DSC and IR spectroscopy demonstrated interaction between drug and polymer resulting from retinoate or retinoamide formation. The drug release study showed that approximately 90% of drug was not released from microparticles until the end of experiment (48 h). That release behavior was probably due to the strong drug–polymer interaction and the more compact network of microparticles formed.     

Characterization of chitosan microparticles reinforced cellulose biocomposite sponges regenerated from ionic liquid

The chitosan-microparticles reinforced cellulose biocomposite sponges regenerated from ionic liquid were prepared and characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that the cellulose dissolved in 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride without derivatization. Chitosan particles as reinforcement were incorporated into the cellulose matrix. FTIR spectra indicated hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups of cellulose and chitosan. The biocomposite sponges showed uniform three-dimensional interconnected porous structures. The breaking strength of the sponges increased significantly, from 0.09 to 0.32 MPa with the addition of 1.0 wt% chitosan. The sponges also demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with the average inhibition zone diameters >2 mm and the inhibition rate higher than 80 %. Furthermore, the biocomposite sponges exhibited good moisture penetrability and high porosity. The water uptake ability of the sponge was >25 times of its weight in water with a fast swelling. The chitosan/cellulose composite sponge is expected to be a promising material for potential applications as wound dressing.     

Towards a Bioactive Food Packaging: Poly(Lactic Acid) Surface Functionalized by Chitosan Coating Embedding Clove and Argan Oils

Here we introduce a new method aiming the immobilization of bioactive principles onto polymeric substrates, combining a surface activation and emulsion entrapment approach. Natural products with antimicrobial/antioxidant properties (essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum—clove and vegetal oil from Argania spinosa L—argan) were stabilized in emulsions with chitosan, a natural biodegradable polymer that has antimicrobial activity. The emulsions were laid on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a synthetic biodegradable plastic from renewable resources, which was previously activated by plasma treatment. Bioactive materials were obtained, with low permeability for oxygen, high radical scavenging activity and strong inhibition of growth for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli bacteria. Clove oil was better dispersed in a more stable emulsion (no separation after six months) compared with argan oil. This leads to a compact and finely structured coating, with better overall properties. While both clove and argan oils are highly hydrophobic, the coatings showed increased hydrophilicity, especially for argan, due to preferential interactions with different functional groups in chitosan. The PLA films coated with oil-loaded chitosan showed promising results in retarding the food spoilage of meat, and especially cheese. Argan, and in particular, clove oil offered good UV protection, suitable for sterilization purposes. Therefore, using the emulsion stabilization of bioactive principles and immobilization onto plasma activated polymeric surfaces we obtained a bioactive material that combines the physical properties and the biodegradability of PLA with the antibacterial activity of chitosan and the antioxidant function of vegetal oils. This prevents microbial growth and food oxidation and could open new perspectives in the field of food packaging materials.     

Starch based Active Packaging Film Reinforced with Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Cellulose Nanofiber

Biopolymer active packaging is known to have low mechanical strength and highly brittle. Regardless to its disadvantage, polymers from natural sources have attracted serious attention since the non-renewable sources for example petroleum, the major precursor of plastic manufacturing become depleted. Starch-Chitosan for instance is a hybrid film that entirely green as it produced from a renewable material and totally degradable. The addition of chitosan in film packaging able to kill pathogen hence increases the food shelf life. Through nanotechnology advance, nanomaterial can be used for material reinforcement. Nowadays, greener approach could be applied by incorporating natural cellulose nanofiber into the film matrix. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber that rich of cellulose contents could be treated chemically to purify the cellulose in the fiber. Cellulose fiber obtained was cut to a nano-size using acid hydrolysis. Transmission Electron Microscopy (T.E.M) obtained shown the nanofiber size was ranged between 1-100 nm in diameter. Nanocomposite film formulation, was constructed by varying the cellulose nanofiber incorporation between 2-10% per weight of starch. The strength of the films was measured as well as antimicrobial properties. The addition of 2% cellulose nanofiber into the film matrix exhibits high tensile strength with 5.25 Mpa compared to starch-chitosan hybrid film with 3.96 Mpa. However, no significant improvement in tensile strength was distinguished beyond that ratio. Antimicrobial analysis shows that the addition of cellulose nanofiber could increase the inhibition effect towards gram-positive bacteria but not towards gram-negative bacteria. The addition of 2% cellulose nanofiber increased the inhibition diameter towards gram positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis up to 33%. However, inhibition towards Bacillus subtilis decreased with the incorporation of more cellulose nanofiber. In gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, the addition of cellulose nanofiber does not give significant effect to bacterial. In General, the addition of the unique structure of cellulose nanofiber in the starch based polymer system could enhance the mechanical strength of the film and increase the inhibition of the gram positive bacteria.     

壳聚糖/聚乙烯醇/三聚磷酸钠三元复合微球的制备及表征

由壳聚糖（ＣＳ）、聚乙烯醇（ＰＶＡ）和三聚磷酸钠（ＴＰＰ）制备了壳聚糖／聚乙烯醇／三聚磷酸钠三元复 合微球,探讨了体系中壳聚糖含量对复合微球的影响,以及离子种类及浓度和ｐＨ值对复合微球溶胀度的影 响。采用ＸＲＤ、ＦＴＩＲ和ＳＥＭ等测试技术对微球的组分、结构和形貌进行了表征。结果表明,ＣＳ和ＰＶＡ具有良好的相容性,随着ＣＳ含量的增加,ＰＶＡ的结晶性逐渐降低,复合微球的粒径约为４００～９５０ μｍ,表面较为粗糙;随着ＣＳ添加量的增加,凝胶平衡溶胀度先增大再减小,ＣＳ／ＰＶＡ／ＴＰＰ复合微球在ｐＨ值为３～8的溶胀度最大,且在同一种溶液中,随着离子浓度的增加,其溶胀度明显降低;复合微球具有溶胀 收缩可逆性,显示ＣＳ／ＰＶＡ／ＴＰＰ复合微球是ｐＨ／离子敏感型凝胶,可为药物缓释系统提供实验和理论依据。     

Bacterial inactivation via microfluidic electroporation device with insulating micropillars

Electroporation is a promising method to inactivate cells and it has wide applications in medical science, biology and environmental health. Here, we investigate the bacteria inactivation performance of two different microfluidic electroporation devices with rhombus and circular micropillars used for generating locally enhanced electric field strength. Experiments are carried out to characterize the inactivation performance (i.e., the log removal efficiency) of two types of bacteria: Escherichia coli (E. coli, gram-negative) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis, gram-positive) in these two microfluidic devices. We find that under the same applied electric field, the device with rhombus micropillars performs better than the device with circular micropillars for both E. coli and E. faecalis. Numerical simulations show that due to the corner-induced singularity effect, the maximum electric field enhancement is higher in the device with rhombus micropillars than that in the device with circular micropillars. We also study the effects of DC and AC electric fields and flowrate. Our experiments demonstrate that the use of the DC field achieves higher log removal efficiencies than the use of AC field.     

Electrorheology of chitosan polysaccharide suspensions in soybean oil

Chitosan, a biodegradable polysaccharide composed of primarily d -glucosamine repeating units, was adopted as a dry-base electrorheological fluid using soybean oil as a suspending medium. The electrorheological properties were examined under various applied electric field strengths. We found that natural organic polymers such as chitosan possessing amino polar groups induce electrorheological behavior, and the yield stress, τ_y, of chitosan increases with the electric field strength, E , according to a power-law form, τ_y∝ E ^α, which is consistent with the conduction model.     

Diethylmethyl chitosan as an antimicrobial agent: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial effects

Chitosan with excellent biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics has received attention as an oral drug delivery vehicle. A quaternized chitosan (i.e., N-diethylmethyl chitosan, DEMC) was prepared based on a modified two-step process via a 2² factorial design to optimize the preparative conditions. DEMC was fully characterized using FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies. As calculated using NMR-based data, high degree of quaternization was achieved through the optimized two-step process. The highly quaternized biopolymeric derivative was subjected to microbial experiments. The antimicrobial activities of chitosan and DEMC against Escherchia coli were compared by calculation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Our data indicates that although the antimicrobial activity of DEMC is higher than that of chitosan in acetic acid medium, the both compounds are pH dependent and an increase in concentration of acetic acid results in a significant decrease in both MIC and MBC.     

离子凝聚法制备负载流感疫苗的壳聚糖微球

采用三聚磷酸钠(TPP)作为离子交联剂, 应用离子凝聚法制备负载流感疫苗的壳聚糖微球. 筛选出壳聚糖起始质量分数为1%. TPP的浓度对壳聚糖微球的制备影响较大, 采用低浓度的TPP(200 μg/mL)制备的微球放置过夜均出现沉淀现象, 高浓度的TPP(800 μg/mL)在制备过程中出现絮状沉淀. 固化比影响微球的释放行为, 固化比为1∶1的微球爆炸式释放率达到90％, 固化比为1∶3的微球6 h后逐步释放, 12 h后释放率达到95％. 固化比为1∶5的微球6 h后没有明显的释放行为. 壳聚糖溶液的pH对微球的制备和释放没有显著的影响. 通过对负载流感疫苗的壳聚糖微球的制备条件和释放行为的研究结果表明, pH=5.6的壳聚糖溶液, 固化比为1∶3, TPP的质量浓度为400 μg/mL是较理想的流感疫苗壳聚糖微球的制备条件.     

Core–shell structure PEO/CS nanofibers based on electric field induced phase separation via electrospinning and its application

Core–shell structured PEO‐chitosan nanofibers have been produced from electric field inducing phase separation. Chitosan, a positive charged polymer, was dissolved in 50 wt % aqueous acetic acid and the amino group on polycation would protonize, which would endow chitosan electrical properties. Chitosan molecules would move along the direction of the electric field under the electrostatic force and formed the shell layer of nanofibers. Preparation process of core – shell structure is quite simple and efficient without any post‐treatment. The core–shell structure and existence of chitosan on the shell layer were confirmed before and after post‐treatment by TEM and further supported by SEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC, and XPS studies. Blending ratio of PEO and chitosan, molecular weight of chitosan for the mobility of chitosan are thought to be the key influence factors on formation of core–shell structure. Drug release studies show that the prepared core–shell structure nanofibers has a potential application in the biomedical fields involving drug delivery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2298–2311     

Chitosan and radiation chemistry

Chitosan as a raw material with special properties has drawn attention of scientists working in the field of radiation processing and natural polymer products development, and also of specialists working in the field of radiation protection and oncologists. Especially the applications concern reduced molecular weight chitosan which still retain its chemical structure; such form of the compound is fostering biological, physical and chemical reactivity of the product. Chitosan degrades into fragments under γ-ray or electron beam irradiation. Antibacterial properties of the product are applied in manufacturing hydrogel for wound dressing and additional healing properties can be achieved by incorporating in the hydrogel matrix chitosan bonded silver clusters. Another possible application of chitosan is in reducing radiation damage to the radiation workers or radiation cured patients. In the case of radioisotopes oral or respiratory chitosan-based materials can be applied as chelators. Applications of chitosan in oncology are also reported.     

Antibacterial and Physiochemical Behavior of Prepared Chitosan/pyridine-3,5-di-carboxylic Acid Complex for Biomedical Applications

This paper describes the preparation of a biocompatible electrostatic chitosan/pyridine-3,5-di-carboxylic acid (CH-PyCA) complex which is formed by the protonation (NH⁺ ₃) of chitosan and deprotonation (COO^?) of pyridine-3,5-di-carboxylic acid in an acidic medium under mild conditions. The crystalline and structural properties of prepared CH-PyCA complex were evaluated by UV, IR XRD and ¹H-NMR spectroscopic studies. Thermal behavior of the complex was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Antimicrobial activities examined against gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) by agar diffusion plate method in the obtained CH-PyCA complex, were found to be much better than free chitosan and pyridine compounds and the obtained results indicate that the inhibitory effects of chitosan complex is dependent on the molecular weight, ionic strength, pH, and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan. The results show that the CH-PyCA complex might be a promising candidate for novel antimicrobial agents for biomedical applications.     

Low‐Voltage Pulsed Electric Field Sterilization on a Microfluidic Chip

A polyimide substrate based microfluidic chip with thousands of comb‐shaped microelectrodes has been designed, fabricated, and tested for sterilization of bacteria by using pulsed electric field. The performance of bacteria sterilization as functions of the electric field strength, pulse number and width, treatment buffer, bacteria growth status, and bacteria enrichment by positive dielectrophoresis has been experimentally investigated on the microfluidic chip. Experimental results show that only 100 V are sufficient to obtain good sterilization of Escherichia coli. Higher electric field strength, bacteria enrichment by positive dielectrophoresis, longer pulse time, buffer with fewer components and nutritions, and suitable bacteria growth status also improve the sterilization of bacteria. In addition, configuration of the microelectrode array affects bacteria sterilization. This microfluidic device allows one to preconcentrate bacteria to a region with high electric field strength by using positive dielectrophoresis, and subsequently kill the enriched bacteria by applying a pulsed electric field through the same microelectrode array.     

Fabrication and properties of pH-sensitive nanostructured polyelectrolyte microparticles loaded with insulin

Thorough investigation and comparative study were conducted for insulin-loaded microparticles fabricated by consecutive adsorption of polyanions (dextran sulfate and chitosan sulfate) and polycations (chitosan and protamine) onto protein microaggregates. The possible regulation of insulin release from the particles by variation in polyelectrolyte pairs, in the number of their adsorption cycles and in pH of media was demonstrated. For all studied cases the microparticles showed protective action towards insulin inactivation at acid pH values and protein release at pH > 5, corresponding to human gastro-intestinal conditions.     

Antimicrobial activity of new carboxymethyl chitosan–carbon nanotube biocomposites and their swell ability in different pH media

New carboxymethyl chitosan–carbon nanotube (CMCS-CNT) biocomposites were prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and normal photography. The recorded images of the CMCS-CNT biocomposites showed homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes into the carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) matrix. Their antimicrobial activity and swell ability in different pH media have been investigated. They showed a higher antimicrobial activity against tested gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The inhibition zone diameters are closer to that recorded for the commonly used antibiotics. They showed an increase in the swell ability in different pH media relative to the parent CMCS. It would be expected that these nanobiocomposites are promising candidates for medical applications.     

Development of an epoxy-based monolith used for the affinity capturing of Eschericha coli bacteria

An epoxy-based monolith has been developed for use as hydrophilic support in bioseparation. This monolith is produced by self-polymerization of polyglycerol-3-glycidyl ether in organic solvents as porogens at room temperature within 1 h. One receives a highly cross-linked structure that provides useful mechanical properties. The porosity and pore diameter can be controlled by varying the composition of the porogen. In this work, an epoxy-based monolith with a high porosity (79%) and large pore size (22 μm) is prepared and used in affinity capturing of bacterial cells. These features allow the passage of bacterial cells through the column. As affinity ligand polymyxin B is used, which allows the binding of gram-negative bacteria. The efficiency of the monolithic affinity column is studied with Escherichia coli spiked in water. Bacterial cells are concentrated on the column at pH 4 and eluted with a recovery of 97 ± 3% in 200 μL by changing the pH value without impairing viability of bacteria. The dynamic capacity for the monolithic column is nearly independent of the flow rate (4 × 10⁹ cells/column). Thereby, it is possible to separate and enrich gram-negative bacterial cells, such as E. coli, with high flow rates (10 mL/min) and low back pressure (<1 bar) in a volume as low as 200 μL compatible for real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarray formats, and biosensors.     

壳多糖抑制细菌生长的构效关系

运用化学结构已清楚, 分属4大系列的29种壳多糖, 以4种不同类型的细菌(革兰氏阳性菌Ecoli K1、革兰氏阴性菌Bacillus cereus、Bacillus megaterium和Staphlylococcu aureus)为研究对象, 进行了壳多糖抑菌能力构效关系的研究. 在实验中采用96孔平板, 用计算机\|吸光值读数仪直接测定每个孔的吸光值, 获得了各个细菌在不同壳多糖浓度中的生长曲线和壳多糖抑制细菌生长的最低抑制浓度(MIC, Minimum inhibit concentration). 通过比较同一(各个)系列的壳多糖在这些相同(不同)细菌的MIC变化规律与壳多糖的化学结构的关系, 发现同一壳多糖对不同的细菌的MIC值是不相同的, 因而壳多糖抑制细菌生长的能力首先与细菌本身特点有关, 但与是否为革兰氏阳性菌或阴性菌无直接的相关性; 同一细菌对不同化学结构的壳多糖有一定的相关性, 在壳多糖的聚合程度(DP)相同的条件下, 壳多糖中氨基被乙酰化(DA)的程度越低, 壳多糖抑制细菌生长的MIC值越低, 壳多糖抑制细菌生长的能力就越强; 同样,在DA相同的情况下, 分子越小, 壳多糖抑制细菌生长的MIC值越低, 抑制细菌生长的能力越强. 根据上述实验结果, 初步推测壳多糖抑制细菌生长的机制可能与其在溶液中所带的正电荷多少有关.