Bacterial-Derived Polymer Poly-y-Glutamic Acid (y-PGA)-Based Micro/Nanoparticles as a Delivery System for Antimicrobials and Other Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In the past decade, poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-based micro/nanoparticles have garnered remarkable attention as antimicrobial agents and for drug delivery, owing to their controlled and sustained-release properties, low toxicity, as well as biocompatibility with tissue and cells. γ-PGA is a naturally occurring biopolymer produced by several gram-positive bacteria that, due to its biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic properties, has been used successfully in the medical, food and wastewater industries. Moreover, its carboxylic group on the side chains can offer an attachment point to conjugate antimicrobial and various therapeutic agents, or to chemically modify the solubility of the biopolymer. The unique characteristics of γ-PGA have a promising future for medical and pharmaceutical applications. In the present review, the structure, properties and micro/nanoparticle preparation methods of γ-PGA and its derivatives are covered. Also, we have highlighted the impact of micro/nanoencapsulation or immobilisation of antimicrobial agents and various disease-related drugs on biodegradable γ-PGA micro/nanoparticles.

Modification of Chitosan for the Generation of Functional Derivatives

“…This statement was validated on Human Embryonic Kidney cells (Hek293) and the results revealed an improvement of solubility and disponibility, and no significant cytotoxicity. Cross-linking reactions between CS, COS, or CS derivatives with other polymers, synthetic and/or natural oligo-or polymers, open the way to unlimited applications, as reported by many authors, with recent examples for pectin [189], poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) [190], Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and cyclodextrin [191,192], C-phycocyanin [193], or Poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) [194]. Finally, CS users interested in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications should keep in mind that the possibilities of design are unlimited, obviously maintaining the essential physicochemical, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and biosolubility properties (in particular in vivo).…”

Antimicrobial peptides under clinical investigation

“…With the help of delivery systems, AMPs can be released in active forms according to the changes in the salt concentration or other environmental factors . For instance, LL‐37 ( 19 ) can be formulated with poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA), thereby facilitating the sustained release of LL‐37 for the treatment of leg ulcers . hLF1‐11 ( 9 ) can be covalently immobilized onto chitosan thin films providing a polymeric surface with antimicrobial activity…”

Polysaccharides of a fermented food, natto, suppress sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in an <i>in vivo</i> evaluation system and inhibit glucose uptake by human intestinal cells

“…Natto contains viscous substances such as poly-γ-glutamic acid and levan, a polysaccharide (17). Poly-γ-glutamic acid is used as a base material for an insulin drug delivery system (18). There are no reports that polyglutamic acid has DNase, RNase, proteinase K, and phenol to obtain an enzyme-treated polysaccharide fraction (Enzyme-treated natto #4).…”