PLA and PBAT-Based Electrospun Fibers Functionalized with Antibacterial Bio-Based Polymers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Antimicrobial Technology

Background:

• Development of advanced antimicrobial materials is crucial for combating infections.
• Biodegradable polymers like PLA and PBAT offer sustainable alternatives for biomedical applications.
• Functionalization of polymer surfaces can impart specific biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create novel antimicrobial fibers using biodegradable polymers.
• To investigate the effect of cationic azolium groups on antibacterial activity.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility of the developed antimicrobial fibers.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends.
• Incorporation of polyitaconate containing azole groups (PTTI) into the polymer matrix.
• Surface functionalization via N-alkylation to create cationic azolium groups.
• Characterization of fiber properties (charge density, roughness, wettability) and antibacterial efficacy.
• Assessment of fibroblast adhesion, morphology, and viability for biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Uniform, bead-free antimicrobial fibers were successfully fabricated.
• Cationic functionalization significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against S. aureus and MRSA.
• Fiber properties like charge density and hydrophobicity influenced antimicrobial performance.
• No cytotoxic effect was observed, but a cytostatic effect on fibroblasts was noted due to electrostatic interactions.

Conclusions:

• Quaternized PLA/PTTI fibers demonstrate potent antimicrobial properties.
• The developed fibers show promise for applications requiring antibacterial surfaces.
• Further research is needed to mitigate the cytostatic effect for enhanced biocompatibility.