Synthesis and characterization of TPP/chitosan nanoparticles: Colloidal mechanism of reaction and antifungal effect on C. albicans biofilm formation

Publication date: November 2019Source: Materials Science and Engineering: C, Volume 104Author(s): Fabiola Galbiatti de Carvalho, Taís Chaves Magalhães, Natália Moreira Teixeira, Brenna Louise Cavalcanti Gondim, Hugo Lemes Carlo, Rogério Lacerda dos Santos, Alan Reis de Oliveira, Ângelo Marcio Leite DenadaiAbstractIn the present study chitosan (Chit) nanoparticles were synthetized by the ionic gelation process, using tripolyphosphate (TPP) as crosslinking agent. The TPP/Chit nanoparticle formation was evaluated by titrations, measuring electrical conductivity (k), zeta potential (ZP), hydrodynamic diameter (Dh), viscosity (η) and heat by isothermal calorimetry (ITC). The antifungal effects were evaluated by C. albicans time-kill assays, inhibition of C. albicans initial adhesion and biofilm formation in comparison with nystatin and chitosan. Conductometric titration exhibited a typical precipitation profile, with an inflection at molar ratio of [TPP]/[Chitmon] ≈ 0.3, suggesting a 1:3.3 stoichiometry. The highest Dh, ZP and η values were shown at the beginning of titrations, due to the intramolecular repulsion between Chit-Chit. With addition of TPP, the values showed gradual reduction, with an intermediary transition at [TPP]/[Chitmon] ≈ 0.16, which was attributed to the partial breakdown of interchain crosslinking and formation of discrete charged aggregates. After this point, reaction should occur by neutralization of these assemblies, causing new reductio...
Source: Materials Science and Engineering: C - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research