Modified Castor Oil-Based Polyurethane Films with Streptomyces Extracts Presenting Anti-Methicillin-Resistant...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Antimicrobial Agents

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) poses significant health risks due to its resistance.
• Development of novel antimicrobial delivery systems is crucial for combating MRSA infections.
• Antimicrobial polyurethanes offer potential as preventive biomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize partially renewable polyurethanes as carriers for novel antimicrobials.
• To investigate the incorporation of a Streptomyces sp. extract and its β-cyclodextrin complexes into polyurethane films.
• To evaluate the properties and efficacy of these antimicrobial polyurethane films.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of castor oil-based polyurethanes.
• Incorporation of Streptomyces sp. extract and its β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes via bulk or surface loading.
• Characterization using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and assessment of hydrophilicity, thermal stability, mechanical performance, antibacterial activity, and cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• Successful polyurethane synthesis confirmed by FTIR.
• Polyurethanes exhibited semicrystalline nature and thermal stability up to 260 °C.
• Surface modification yielded good antibacterial performance against MRSA but showed some cytotoxicity; bulk modification reduced mechanical properties.

Conclusions:

• Polyurethane films with surface-loaded antimicrobials demonstrate favorable properties and hemocompatibility.
• These active films show potential as short-term dressings and antimicrobial delivery systems.
• They represent a promising preventive strategy against methicillin-resistant S. aureus.