Evaluation of Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases for cellulose functionalization

Abstract

Eucalyptus and bacterial celluloses were functionalized by oxidation with a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase, SamLPMO10C, to increase their contents in carboxyl groups by 2.4 and 2.7-fold, respectively. The functionalized celluloses were used to generate paper supports containing silver nanoparticles. A solution of silver nitrate was added to oxidized celluloses as a source of Ag+ which allowed the interaction between silver cations and hydroxyl or carboxyl groups. Following, paper supports were produced, and the formation of silver nanoparticles was induced by heat reduction. The presence of silver nanoparticles was validated by scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry tests allowed to measure the silver content in the paper supports as well as the migration of silver in an aqueous media. The Ag-functionalized paper supports showed strong antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus.