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Films of Poly(Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Copper with Antibacterial Activity
Mayte M Quispe1, María E Villanueva2, Guillermo J Copello3
1Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química, PLAPIQUI (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
Polymers
|July 14, 2023
Summary
This study developed flexible, biodegradable antimicrobial films from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) plasticized with glycerol tributyrate and functionalized with copper sulfate. These enhanced PHB films show significant bacterial inhibition without cytotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biopolymer with desirable mechanical and barrier properties.
- Neat PHB exhibits poor film properties due to high crystallinity.
- Developing functionalized PHB films is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create biodegradable antimicrobial flexible films using PHB.
- To investigate the effect of glycerol tributyrate plasticization and copper (II) sulfate functionalization on PHB film properties.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity of the developed films.
Main Methods:
- Plasticization of PHB with glycerol tributyrate.
- Functionalization of PHB films with copper (II) sulfate.
- Assessment of film roughness, copper sulfate diffusion, antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and in vitro cytotoxicity using the L-929 cell line.
Main Results:
- Plasticized PHB films functionalized with copper (II) sulfate exhibited enhanced flexibility and antimicrobial properties.
- Copper sulfate diffusion was significantly improved by plasticization, leading to larger inhibition halos.
- Films with 2.5% copper (II) sulfate effectively inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
- Neither neat PHB nor copper (II) sulfate-containing PHB films showed in vitro cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Plasticized PHB functionalized with copper (II) sulfate yields effective biodegradable antimicrobial flexible films.
- The developed materials offer potential for various applications requiring antimicrobial properties.
- This approach enhances PHB's utility by improving its film-forming and antimicrobial capabilities.
