The
extensive use of antibiotics over the last decades is responsible
for the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms that
are challenging health care systems worldwide. The use of alternative
antimicrobial materials could mitigate the selection of new MDR strains
by reducing antibiotic overuse. This paper describes the design of
enzyme-based antimicrobial cellulose beads containing a covalently
coupled glucose oxidase from
Aspergillus niger
(GOx) able to release antimicrobial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide
(H
2
O
2
) (≈ 1.8 mM). The material preparation
was optimized to obtain the best performance in terms of mechanical
resistance, shelf life, and H
2
O
2
production.
As a proof of concept, agar inhibition halo assays (Kirby-Bauer test)
against model pathogens were performed. The two most relevant factors
affecting the bead functionalization process were the degree of oxidation
and the pH used for the enzyme binding process. Slightly acidic conditions
during the functionalization process (pH 6) showed the best results
for the GOx/cellulose system. The functionalized beads inhibited the
growth of all the microorganisms assayed, confirming the release of
sufficient antimicrobial levels of H
2
O
2
. The
maximum inhibition efficiency was exhibited toward
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(
P. aeruginosa
) and
Escherichia coli
(
E. coli
), although significant inhibitory effects
toward methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and
S. aureus
were also observed.
These enzyme-functionalized cellulose beads represent an inexpensive,
sustainable, and biocompatible antimicrobial material with potential
use in many applications, including the manufacturing of biomedical
products and additives for food preservation.