A mussel-inspired synthetic adhesive based on dopamine containing methacrylate copolymers was developed to bond polymers to metal surfaces at an adhesion strength of up to 20 MPa for bulk samples.

Biomaterials made of biodegradable poly(-hydroxyesters) such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) are known to decrease the pH in the vicinity of the implants. Bioactive glass (BG) is being investigated as a counteracting agent buffering the acidic degradation products. However, in dentistry the question arises whether an antibacterial effect is rather obtained from pure PLGA or from BG/PLGA composites, as BG has been proved to be antimicrobial. In the present study the antimicrobial properties of electrospun PLGA and BG45S5/PLGA fibres were investigated using human oral bacteria (specified with mass spectrometry) incubated for up to 24 h. BG45S5 nanoparticles were prepared by flame spray synthesis. The change in colony-forming units (CFU) of the bacteria was correlated with the pH of the medium during incubation. The morphology and structure of the scaffolds as well as the appearance of the bacteria were followed bymicroscopy. Additionally, we studied if the presence of BG45S5 had an influence on the degradation speed of the polymer. Finally, it turned out that the pH increase induced by the presence of BG45S5 in the scaffold did not last long enough to show a reduction in CFU. On the contrary, pure PLGA demonstrated antibacterial properties that should be taken into consideration when designing biomaterials for dental applications. AbstractBiomaterials made of biodegradable poly(α-hydroxyesters) like poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) are known to decrease the pH in the vicinity of the implants. Bioactive glass (BG) is being investigated as a counteracting agent buffering the acidic degradation products.However, in dentistry the question arises whether an antibacterial effect is rather obtained from pure PLGA or from BG/PLGA composites, as BG has been proved antimicrobial. In the present study the antimicrobial properties of electrospun PLGA and BG45S5/PLGA fibres were investigated using human oral bacteria (specified with mass spectrometry) incubated for up to 24 h. BG45S5 nanoparticles were prepared by flame spray synthesis. The change in colony-forming units (CFU) of the bacteria was put into correlation with the pH of the medium during incubation. Morphology and structure of the scaffolds as well as the appearance of the bacteria were followed by microscopy. Additionally, we studied if the presence of BG45S5 had an influence on the degradation speed of the polymer. Finally, it turned out that the pH increase induced by BG45S5 presence in the scaffold did not last long enough to show a reduction in CFU. On the contrary, pure PLGA demonstrated antibacterial properties that should be taken into consideration when designing biomaterials for dental applications.

Wheat is the predominant crop in the world and vermin infestation remains a serious issue regarding its storage and field cultivation, especially in developing countries. In addition to physical control methods, pesticides are often applied. However, their usage includes a number of concerns regarding environmental and ecological impacts. In the present work an alternative route to protect seeds against herbivore attack is suggested. The seeds were coated with substances capable of cyanogenesis. The precursors were initially in isolated compartments separated through biodegradable polylactide layers.The HCN formation only occurred upon contact of the cyanogenic precursor (mandelonitrile) with a suitable enzyme (hydroxynitrile lyase) and thus needed to be mechanically triggered. This concept is inspired by nature and is based on the protection strategy applied by higher plants, for example apple trees. Further tests showed that the ability for germination was preserved throughout the treatment. Finally, cyanogenesis was followed and quantified in both the liquid and the gas phase and provided HCN in sufficient concentrations to serve as a pest control.