Dual-Function Sol-Gel Antibacterial Materials with Biphasic Octenidine Release for Decontamination and Long-Term...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Traditional methods for creating antibacterial sol-gel materials often rely on toxic surfactants.
• There is a need for sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives for producing porous materials with controlled release properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, environmentally friendly method for synthesizing antibacterial sol-gel materials using microbial templates.
• To investigate the controlled release of the antiseptic octenidine dihydrochloride from these novel materials.
• To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of the developed materials against a phytopathogen.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized sol-gel materials using yeast and bacterial cells (e.g., *Paracoccus yeei*) as biotemplates.
• Optimized material composition (methyltriethoxysilane/tetraethoxysilane ratio) and heat treatment (800 °C).
• Studied the biphasic release kinetics of octenidine dihydrochloride and evaluated antibacterial activity against *Rhodococcus fascians*.

Main Results:

• The optimal material encapsulated *Paracoccus yeei* in a 50/50 methyltriethoxysilane/tetraethoxysilane sol-gel matrix.
• Octenidine dihydrochloride exhibited a biphasic release: rapid initial and sustained subsequent action.
• The material demonstrated sustained antibacterial activity, maintaining an inhibition zone for 25 days, especially when incorporated into silicone sealant.

Conclusions:

• Whole microbial cells serve as effective biotemplates for creating eco-friendly sol-gel matrices with tunable porosity.
• The developed materials offer controlled, dual-phase antiseptic release, providing both immediate and long-term microbial protection.
• These materials show significant potential for diverse applications, including medical treatments and industrial products.