Novel nanocomposites with selective antibacterial action and low cytotoxic effect on eukaryotic cells

In the present study we synthesized lignin-tetra ethoxysilane (TEOS) nanocomposite and characterized it using UV-spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). XRD spectra and SEM micrographs confirmed a relatively high degree of crystallinity (peaks located at lower angle, 2θ=12° and 2θ=22.0°) and porous nature of nanocomposite. The lignin-TEOS nanocomposites depicted antibacterial activity against the test microorganisms (Pseudomonas aerugenosa MTCC 741, Escherichia coli MTCC 739, Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441 and Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96) whereas at the same concentration did not show any significant cytotoxicity against various tissue-specific cancer cell lines such as breast cancer: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, BT-549; lung cancer: A-549; prostate cancer: PC-3, Du-145; as well as primary control cells-Human hepatic stellate cells (HHSteCs). The present study suggests the plausible translational role of these nanocomposites as an antimicrobial agent for wound dressings due to its potent antimicrobial activity with low toxicity to non-target eukaryotic cells. Nevertheless, these nanocomposites may also be used as packaging materials due to their antimicrobial activity.