This paper presents the method of obtaining poly(propylene) (PP) nonwoven fabrics with antimicrobial properties, using Alafosfalin as the nonwoven modifying agent. Alafosfalin, namely L-alanyl-L-1-aminoethylphosphonic acid, presents representative P-terminal phosphonodipeptide, which possesses a strong, broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties. The analysis of these biofunctionalized nonwoven fabrics processed by the melt-blown technique, included: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/Vis transmittance, FTIR spectrometry, and air permeability. The nonwovens were subjected to microbial activity tests against colonies of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Results indicate that the described nonwovens can be successfully used as an antibacterial material.

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The paper presents the method of synthesis; physico-technical and biological characterization of a new composite material (PLA–Cu0) obtained by sputter deposition of copper on melt-blown poly(lactide) (PLA) non-woven fabrics. The analysis of these biofunctionalized non-woven fabrics included: ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) transmittance; scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS); attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy; ability to block UV radiation; filtration parameters (air permeability); and tensile testing. The functionalized non-woven composite materials were subjected to antimicrobial tests against colonies of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria and antifungal tests against the Chaetomium globosum fungal mould species. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of PLA–Cu0 suggests potential applications as an antimicrobial material.

This research is focused on obtaining antimicrobial hybrid materials consisting of poly(lactide) nonwoven fabrics and using phosphoro-organic compound—fosfomycin—as a coating and modifying agent. Polylactide (PLA) presents biodegradable polymer with multifunctional application, widely engaged in medical related areas. Fosfomycin as functionalized phosphonates presents antibiotic properties expressed by broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties. The analysis of these biofunctionalized nonwoven fabrics processed by the melt-blown technique, included: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/VIS transmittance, FTIR spectrometry, air permeability. The functionalized nonwovens were tested on microbial activity tests against colonies of gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria.

In recent years, due to an expansion of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, there has been growing interest in biodegradable and antibacterial polymers that can be used in selected biomedical applications. The present work describes the synthesis of antimicrobial polylactide-copper alginate (PLA–ALG–Cu2+) composite fibers and their characterization. The composites were prepared by immersing PLA fibers in aqueous solution of sodium alginate, followed by ionic cross-linking of alginate chains within the polylactide fibers with Cu(II) ions to yield PLA–ALG–Cu2+ composite fibers. The composites, so prepared, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/VIS transmittance and attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy ATR-FTIR, and by determination of their specific surface area (SSA), total/average pore volumes (through application of the 5-point Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET)), and ability to block UV radiation (determination of the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of samples). The composites were also subjected to in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation tests against colonies of Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria and antifungal susceptibility tests against Aspergillus niger and Chaetomium globosum fungal mold species. All the results obtained in this work showed that the obtained composites were promising materials to be used as an antimicrobial wound dressing.