Temperature and pH Stimuli-Responsive System Delivers Location-Specific Antimicrobial Activity with Natural Products
Gareth Morris1,2, Sean Goodman1, Ioritz Sorzabal Bellido1
1Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces, Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|December 11, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a dual stimuli-responsive material system for targeted antimicrobial delivery. The smart material, using poly(dimethylsiloxane) and fatty acids, precisely releases antimicrobials based on temperature and pH.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Smart materials with stimuli-responsive functions are crucial for advanced applications.
- Controlled cargo delivery systems are needed for targeted therapeutic and industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dual stimuli-responsive system for location-specific antimicrobial cargo delivery.
- To demonstrate a scalable and simple fabrication method for smart delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix encapsulating saturated fatty acids.
- Utilizing temperature and pH as stimuli to control cargo release.
- Employing spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy, thermal, and structural analysis.
Main Results:
- The system demonstrated dual stimuli-responsive antimicrobial delivery against *Escherichia coli*.
- Location-specific release was achieved, targeting either planktonic or sessile bacteria.
- The material exhibited controllable ON/OFF states and cargo relocation based on stimuli combinations.
Conclusions:
- The proposed approach offers a simple, scalable, and cost-effective method for creating smart delivery systems.
- The system functions as a Boolean logic gate, providing differential responses under varying environmental conditions.
- This platform has potential applications in the food and healthcare industries due to its use of approved components and fundamental chemical processes.
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