Degradable Selenium-Containing Polymers for Low Cytotoxic Antibacterial Materials.

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Developing biodegradable cationic polymers is crucial for safe and effective biological applications.
• Selenium compounds show potential in health-related fields due to their essential trace element status.
• Combining selenium's benefits with biodegradability in polymers is an active research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel biodegradable cationic polymers functionalized with selenium.
• To evaluate the antibacterial efficiency and cytotoxicity of these selenium-containing polymers.
• To explore the potential of these polymers in antimicrobial biomaterial applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of selenide-functionalized polycaprolactones (PCL) with varying hydrophobic substituents.
• Selenoniumization of the functionalized PCL to create cationic polymers.
• Assessment of antibacterial activity using Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).
• Evaluation of biocompatibility and degradation profiles.
• Blending with commercial PCL and fabrication of antibacterial films via electrospinning.

Main Results:

• The optimal polyselenonium salt exhibited significant antibacterial activity (MIC: 1 μg mL⁻¹, MBC: 2 μg mL⁻¹).
• The synthesized polymers demonstrated good biocompatibility both before and after degradation.
• Electrospun films prepared from blended polymers showed effective antibacterial properties.
• The study successfully integrated selenium into biodegradable cationic polymers.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable cationic selenium polymers possess high antibacterial efficacy and low cytotoxicity.
• These selenium polymers are suitable for blending and fabrication into functional antimicrobial materials.
• This research advances the development of selenium-based cationic polymers for antimicrobial applications.