Antifungal Activity of Polyhexamethyleneguanidine Derivatives Introduced into Biodegradable Polymers

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to investigate the antifungal activities of polyhexamethyleneguanidine (PHMG) derivatives introduced into polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polycaprolactone (PCL) against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Candida albicans. All of the PHMG derivatives inhibited the germination of A. niger and P. chrysogenum. All of the derivatives exerted a much stronger inhibitory effect on the cells of C. albicans. PHMG granular polyethylene wax (at the concentration of 1.0%) has a fungicidal effect. The reduction in the number of yeast cells capable of growing on the surface composites PLA, PHB and PCL with PHMG granular polyethylene wax for 24 h was R > 2. PHMG derivatives introduced into PLA decreased hydrolases activity in A. niger and P. chrysogenum. All of the PHMG derivatives introduced into all investigated polymers inhibited the hydrolases activity in C. albicans proportionately to concentration. PHMG granular polyethylene wax at a concentration of 1.0% most strongly inhibited hydrolases activity in yeast. The composites produced from PLA, PHB, PCL and this PHMG derivatives can be used in many areas to reduce the growth of yeast. The studied composites can potentially be used for the production of biomedical or packaging materials.

Recent developments in membrane targeting antifungal agents to mitigate antifungal resistance

“…193 Brzezinska and co-workers developed derivatives of PHMG using polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polycaprolactone (PCL) which were found to be more fungicidal in nature as compared to native PHMG. 194 Further studies demonstrated that these derivatives can hamper the morphology of fungal cells, eradicate biofilm formation, and inhibit hydrolase activity in C. albicans . 194 PHMG was also used to manage plant fungal diseases, where it showed potent fungicidal properties against P. digitatum by disrupting the cell wall and membrane.…”

“…194 Further studies demonstrated that these derivatives can hamper the morphology of fungal cells, eradicate biofilm formation, and inhibit hydrolase activity in C. albicans . 194 PHMG was also used to manage plant fungal diseases, where it showed potent fungicidal properties against P. digitatum by disrupting the cell wall and membrane. 195 Recently, Ntow-Boahene et al investigated the antifungal properties of the polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) macromolecule against different fungal pathogens such as S. cerevisiae , C. albicans , F. oxysporum and P. glabrum .…”

Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Polymeric Food Packaging in Post-COVID-19 Era

“…Antifungal packaging is a feasible option to reduce fungal growth and mycotoxin production. Incorporation of antifungal compounds into the packaging can kill or extend the lag phase or decrease mycelial growth and spore germination during the stationary phase of mold growth, as well as inhibit and/or kill cells in the stationary phase of yeast growth [ 26 , 27 ]. Spoilage inhibition can be performed either by direct contact between packaging material and foods or by indirect contact, whereby the antimicrobial packaging releases a volatile agent into the headspace of the packaging [ 28 ].…”

“…Candida is more resistant to natamycin than mold spores. By contrast, Brzezinska et al (2019) [ 27 ] observed that PLA, PCL or PHB films incorporated with 1.0% polyhexamethyleneguanidine (PHMG) derivatives had a stronger biocidal effect on cells of Candida albicans than Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum due to the inhibited activity of Candida albicans hydrolases (40 to 52% depending on the type of films). Therefore, natamycin or PHMG derivatives introduced into the polymer can be used as a food contact surface material to reduce the growth of spoilage yeasts in dairy products (e.g., fermented milk and cheese).…”

Preparation and antimicrobial properties of polymer blend based on LLDPE and polyhexamethylene guanidine

“…Among the bactericidal polymers, guanidinebased bactericidal polymers are a synthetic organic polymer in its structure containing a guanidine molecule, which has recently been studied and shown to have antibacterial, [9,10] antifungal, anti-viral effects. [11,12] The antibacterial mechanism of guanidine is due to the typical positive potential on the guanidine molecule that the whole molecule has the ability to attract bacteria (negative charge); thereby, forming a polymeric layer on the bacterial cell membrane, and inhibits the growth and formation of new cells of bacteria. Guanidine-based polymers are promising materials for the development of new ones with bactericidal properties.…”