Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-11-2016
Department
Biological Sciences
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
The synthesis of antimicrobial thymol/carvacrol‐loaded polythioether nanoparticles (NPs) via a one‐pot, solvent‐free miniemulsion thiol‐ene photopolymerization process is reported. The active antimicrobial agents, thymol and carvacrol, are employed as “solvents” for the thiol‐ene monomer phase in the miniemulsion to enable facile high capacity loading (≈50% w/w), excellent encapsulation efficiencies (>95%), and elimination of all postpolymerization purification processes. The NPs serve as high capacity reservoirs for slow‐release and delivery of thymol/carvacrol‐combination payloads that exhibit inhibitory and bactericidal activity (>99.9% kill efficiency at 24 h) against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria, including both saprophytic (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) and pathogenic species (E. coli ATCC 43895, Staphylococcus aureus RN6390, and Burkholderia cenocepacia K56‐2). This report is among the first to demonstrate antimicrobial efficacy of essential oil‐loaded nanoparticles against B. cenocepacia – an innately resistant opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with debilitating respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. Although a model platform, these results point to promising pathways to particle‐based delivery of plant‐derived extracts for a range of antimicrobial applications, including active packaging materials, topical antiseptics, and innovative therapeutics.
Publication Title
Advanced Healthcare Materials
Volume
5
Issue
9
First Page
1094
Last Page
1103
Recommended Citation
Amato, D. N.,
Amato, D. V.,
Mavrodi, O. V.,
Braasch, D. A.,
Walley, S. E.,
Douglas, J. R.,
Mavrodi, D. V.,
Patton, D. L.
(2016). Destruction of Opportunistic Pathogens Via Polymer Nanoparticle-Mediated Release of Plant-Based Antimicrobial Payloads. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 5(9), 1094-1103.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/15009
Comments
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: "Destruction of Opportunistic Pathogens Via Polymer Nanoparticle-Mediated Release of Plant-Based Antimicrobial Payloads", which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201500974. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.