Environmentally friendly antibiofilm strategy based on cationized phytoglycogen nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Antibiotic tolerance in biofilms necessitates alternative treatments.
• Metallic nanoparticles show promise but face toxicity and cost limitations.
• Cyanobacterial biofilms cause pollution and toxin release in aquatic ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antibiofilm potential of corn-derived phytoglycogen nanoparticles against cyanobacteria.
• To compare the efficacy of native (PhX) and cationized (PhXC) phytoglycogen nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Extraction and characterization of phytoglycogen nanoparticles (PhX and PhXC).
• Assessment of nanoparticle surface charge and interaction with cyanobacterial cells.
• Evaluation of PhX and PhXC efficacy in inhibiting and eradicating cyanobacterial biofilms.

Main Results:

• Cyanobacterial cell surfaces exhibit negative charges (carboxylic, phosphoric groups).
• Native PhX nanoparticles are non-charged (hydroxyl groups); cationized PhXC nanoparticles are positively charged (quaternary ammonium cations).
• PhXC nanoparticles significantly inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated existing biofilms, unlike PhX.

Conclusions:

• PhXC's positive charge facilitates strong electrostatic interactions with negatively charged cyanobacteria, disrupting biofilm formation.
• PhXC offers a novel, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly strategy against a broad spectrum of bacterial biofilms.
• Phytoglycogen nanoparticles present a viable alternative to metallic nanoparticles for biofilm control.