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Furanone-containing poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers for cell-adhesion inhibition
Nonjabulo P Gule1, Michele de Kwaadsteniet, Thomas E Cloete
1Division of Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Abstract:
The 3(2H) furanone derivative 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) was investigated for its antimicrobial and cell-adhesion inhibition properties against Klebsiella pneumoniae Xen 39, Staphylococcus aureus Xen 36, Escherichia coli Xen 14, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Xen 5 and Salmonella typhimurium Xen 26. Nanofibers electrospun from solution blends of DMHF and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were tested for their ability to inhibit surface-attachment of bacteria. Antimicrobial and adhesion inhibition activity was determined via the plate counting technique. To quantify viable but non-culturable cells and to validate the plate counting results, bioluminescence and fluorescence studies were carried out. Nanofiber production was upscaled using the bubble electrospinning technique. To ascertain that no DMHF leached into filtered water, samples of water filtered through the nanofibrous mats were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to characterize the electrospun nanofibers.
Insights
This study shows that 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers effectively inhibits bacterial growth and adhesion. Bubble electrospinning produced these antimicrobial nanofibers without DMHF leaching into water.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation pose significant challenges in healthcare and water purification.
- Developing novel antimicrobial materials is crucial for combating resistant bacterial strains.
- 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) is a furanone derivative with potential biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial and anti-adhesion properties of DMHF.
- To develop and characterize DMHF-loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers for bacterial inhibition.
- To assess the safety of DMHF-loaded nanofibers for water filtration.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial and adhesion inhibition assays using plate counting.
- Bioluminescence and fluorescence studies for viable but non-culturable cell quantification.
- Bubble electrospinning for nanofiber production, GC-MS for leaching analysis, and SEM/ATR-FTIR for characterization.
Main Results:
- DMHF demonstrated significant antimicrobial and anti-adhesion activity against tested bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium).
- DMHF/PVA nanofibers effectively inhibited bacterial surface attachment.
- Bubble electrospinning successfully scaled up nanofiber production.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed no DMHF leaching into filtered water.
Conclusions:
- DMHF-loaded PVA nanofibers are effective antimicrobial and anti-adhesion agents.
- The developed nanofibers show potential for applications in water purification and infection control.
- The material is safe for water filtration, with no detectable DMHF leaching.
