Nanocellulose-based antifungal nanocomposites against the polymorphic fungus Candida albicans

Publication date: Available online 12 April 2019Source: Carbohydrate PolymersAuthor(s): Carla Vilela, Helena Oliveira, Adelaide Almeida, Armando J.D. Silvestre, Carmen S.R. FreireAbstractThe 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 °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.Graphical abstract
Source: Carbohydrate Polymers - Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research