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Chitosan/calcium nanoparticles as advanced antimicrobial coating for paper documents
Abdurrahim Can Egil1, Burak Ozdemir2, Serda Kecel Gunduz3
1Sabancı University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Materials Science and Nanoengineering, 34956 Istanbul, Türkiye; Piccolo Nanotechnology and Engineering Limited Company, Yildiz Technopark, 34220 Istanbul, Türkiye.
Calcium/chitosan nanoparticles (Ca/CS NPs) offer a novel solution for preserving paper documents. These nanoparticles demonstrate superior antimicrobial properties against common paper-degrading microbes, protecting cultural heritage.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Paper-based historical artifacts face significant degradation from bacterial and fungal growth.
- Nanotechnology offers advanced solutions for cultural heritage preservation.
- Protecting cultural heritage is crucial for humankind.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate calcium/chitosan nanoparticles (Ca/CS NPs) as a novel approach for preserving paper documents.
- To characterize Ca/CS NPs and evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms behind their preservative action.
Main Methods:
- Preparation and characterization of calcium/chitosan nanoparticles (Ca/CS NPs).
- Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) assays against common paper-degrading bacteria and fungi.
- In silico molecular docking analysis to investigate interactions with microbial enzymes.
- Assessment of paper pH and microbial growth after Ca/CS NP deposition.
Main Results:
- Ca/CS NPs were characterized as spherical nanoparticles (~65 nm average size) with homogenous dispersion (PdI: 0.2).
- Ca/CS NPs exhibited superior antimicrobial activity compared to bare chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs).
- Paper treated with Ca/CS NPs showed stabilized pH and limited microbial growth for up to 20 days.
- Molecular docking confirmed interactions between Ca/CS NPs and key microbial enzymes (E. coli DNA gyrase B, C. albicans dihydrofolate reductase).
Conclusions:
- Ca/CS NPs present a promising novel approach for the preservation of paper-based cultural heritage.
- The enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of Ca/CS NPs is attributed to their composition and interaction with microbial targets.
- This nanotechnology-based method offers effective protection against microbial deterioration of paper documents.
