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Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging
Published on: July 19, 2016
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Antifungal Polymeric Materials and Nanocomposites.
Winnie Ntow-Boahene1, David Cook2, Liam Good1
1The Royal Veterinary College, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, London, England.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Antimicrobial polymers offer a promising alternative to traditional antifungal drugs, addressing issues like poor solubility and rising resistance. These polymers exhibit diverse mechanisms and can be combined with other agents for enhanced efficacy against fungal infections in humans and crops.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Polymer Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Rising global populations and medical advancements increase susceptibility to fungal infections (e.g., dermatophytes, Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus).
- Plant fungal pathogens (e.g., Magnaporthe oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum) threaten food security due to increasing agricultural demands.
- Current small molecule antifungal drugs face limitations including poor solubility, bioavailability, and emerging antifungal resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review antimicrobial polymers and nanocomposites with antifungal activity.
- To explore the current understanding of their antifungal mechanisms.
- To highlight their potential as alternatives to conventional antifungal agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on antimicrobial polymers and nanocomposites.
- Analysis of polymer characteristics (cationic and hydrophobic regions) and their interaction with fungal membranes.
- Examination of various antifungal mechanisms (e.g., membrane permeabilization, depolarization).
Main Results:
- Antifungal polymers, both synthetic and natural, demonstrate diverse mechanisms of action against fungi.
- Polymers can be combined with other antimicrobial compounds (e.g., drugs, lipids, metal ions) to achieve synergistic effects.
- Antifungal polymers and nanocomposites can exhibit superior antifungal effects and reduced toxicity compared to small molecule drugs.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial polymers represent a viable alternative strategy for combating fungal infections in clinical and agricultural settings.
- Further research into their mechanisms and synergistic combinations is warranted.
- Development of antifungal polymers and nanocomposites holds significant potential for addressing limitations of current antifungal therapies.
