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Biosynthesis of Peptide Hydrogel–Titania Nanoparticle Composites with Antibacterial Properties

Authors :
Roya Binaymotlagh
Farid Hajareh Haghighi
Enea Gino Di Domenico
Francesca Sivori
Mauro Truglio
Alessandra Del Giudice
Ilaria Fratoddi
Laura Chronopoulou
Cleofe Palocci
Source :
Gels, Vol 9, Iss 12, p 940 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

The photoantibacterial properties of titania nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are attracting much interest, but the separation of their suspension limits their application. In this study, the encapsulation of commercial TiO2NPs within self-assembling tripeptide hydrogels to form hgel-TiO2NP composites with significant photoantibacterial properties is reported. The Fmoc-Phe3 hydrogelator was synthesized via an enzymatic method. The resulting composite was characterized with DLS, ζ-potential, SAXS, FESEM-EDS and rheological measurements. Two different concentrations of TiO2NPs were used. The results showed that, by increasing the TiO2NP quantity from 5 to 10 mg, the value of the elastic modulus doubled, while the swelling ratio decreased from 63.6 to 45.5%. The antimicrobial efficacy of hgel-TiO2NPs was tested against a laboratory Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strain and two methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates. Results highlighted a concentration-dependent superior antibacterial activity of hgel-TiO2NPs over TiO2NPs in the dark and after UV photoactivation. Notably, UV light exposure substantially increased the biocidal action of hgel-TiO2NPs compared to TiO2NPs. Surprisingly, in the absence of UV light, both composites significantly increased S. aureus growth relative to control groups. These findings support the role of hgel-TiO2NPs as promising biocidal agents in clinical and sanitation contexts. However, they also signal concerns about TiO2NP exposure influencing S. aureus virulence.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23102861
Volume :
9
Issue :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Gels
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.015f8c6d71a04b729c4899f1384e0cc3
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9120940