Lignin Nanoparticles-Based Antibacterial Coatings for Development of Antimicrobial Surfaces

Antibiotic resistance development in bacteria is a serious threat to human health all over the world. One of the common ways of transmission of bacteria is contact with contaminated surfaces. Antimicrobial surfaces are promising solution for containment of spread of infection. Use of bio- based and biodegradable materials for antimicrobial coatings of disposable products are of great interest due to their lower environmental impact in comparison with synthetic compounds. In this study filter paper samples were uniformly coated with different amounts of softwood Kraft lignin nanoparticles using spraying or immersion methods. Presence of the particles on the samples’ surfaces were confirmed by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM). Surface density of the particles on the surface were determined by weighing and by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of LNPs dispersions for Staphylococcus aureus was 0.16 wt.-% in 24h contact time. The LNPs’ coatings demonstrated antimicrobial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which makes LNPs promising bio- based antimicrobial agent for development of antimicrobial surfaces.