Remote Activation of Antimicrobial Properties via Magnetoeletric Stimulation of Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposites

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Moreira, J (Author) Other; Fernandes, MM (Author) Other; Correia, DM (Author) Other; Correia, V (Author) FEUP; Rincón-Iglesias, M (Author) Other; Lanceros-Mendez, S (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES

Vol. 11

ISSN: 2196-7350

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

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Other information

Authenticus ID: P-017-940

DOI: 10.1002/admi.202400080

Abstract (EN): Antimicrobial materials are crucial for high-touch surfaces to prevent the adhesion and proliferation of microorganisms, playing a key role in infection control measures. In this work, a magnetoelectric nanocomposite able to exert antimicrobial activity when magnetically stimulated, is obtained by solvent casting. The nanocomposites, composed of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and cobalt ferrite magnetostrictive nanoparticles (CFO NPs), respond to a variable magnetic field by mechanically stimulating the piezoelectric component of the material, thereby inducing an electrical polarization. The antimicrobial properties of the material are determined by exposing it to different frequencies (0.3 and 1 Hz) using a custom-designed magnetic bioreactor, where the resulting electrical microenvironments are the contributing factor. The growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus over the nanocomposite is highly inhibited when magnetically stimulated (dynamic conditions) mainly at 0.3 Hz, in contrast to static conditions. The electric microenvironment is further measured upon magnetic stimulation, with PHBV films with 20% CFO inducing a voltage variation of approximate to 20 mu V at the surface while the films with 10% CFO induced a voltage variation of approximate to 12 mu V. This work demonstrated that magnetic stimulation, combined with magnetoelectric materials, can be used for remote antimicrobial control, thus preventing the spread of infections. Antimicrobial materials are vital for high-touch surfaces to prevent microorganism growth, aiding infection control. This study developed a poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV)-based magnetoelectric nanocomposite filled with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CFO NPs), which when magnetically stimulated, create an electrical polarization in the piezoeletric PHBV inhibiting Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus growth. Under dynamic conditions the nanocomposite significantly reduces bacterial inhibition, demonstrating remote antimicrobial control potential. image

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10