Novel antimicrobial polymer films active against bacteria and fungi

Abstract

We report on the synthesis and the characterization of an azobenzene-based compound. The molecule shows high antimicrobial activity against Staphilococcus aureus and Candida albicans, as demonstrated by in vitro microbiological test in solution. Two antimicrobial polymeric systems were realized introducing this antimicrobial molecule in two polyolefin matrices. The polymeric materials containing different percentages of azo-compound were mold-casted and the obtained films were tested in vitro against the same Gram-positive bacterium and fungus. The films show biocide activity at low percentage of azo dye (up to 0.01%), holding promise for the fabrication of bacteria-resistant polymer films by means of simple melt processing

Biodegradable antimicrobial films based on poly(lactic acid) matrices and active azo compounds

“…Because of the backflow channel and a bypass valve, the residence time is well defined, and the materials were mixed at 180°C for 5 min at 60 rpm. According to previous studies, these conditions allow extrusion and minimization of PLA and azo dyes degradation. Blended materials were cooled and collected as a solid ribbon; they looked perfectly transparent and without bubble air inside.…”

“…These compounds showed a strong activity against Gram+ bacteria and fungi. The ones having the strongest bactericidal activity and the ability to inhibit the biofilm formation have already been selected for incorporation into commercial polyolefin matrices, in order to produce composites with low production cost, good processability, and antimicrobial potential …”

Imidazole and Azo-Based Schiff Bases Ligands as Highly Active Antifungal and Antioxidant Components

“…This process is the key principle of various applications such as chemosensors, [17] optical storage media, [18] optical switches, [19,20] nonlinear optics, [21] as well as trigger for protein folding [22]. Furthermore, azo compounds have also a variety of biological activities including antibacterial, [23] antifungal, [24] pesticidal, [25] antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities [26]. Schiff bases ligands with chelating abilities have been recognized as privileged ligands to form stable complexes with a large variety of transition metals [27].…”

Antimicrobial azobenzene compounds and their potential use in biomaterials

“…The azo compounds having the strongest bactericidal activity and the ability to inhibit the biofilm formation have already been selected for incorporation into commercial polymers to produce composites with low production cost, good processability, and antimicrobial activity [6][7][8][9][10] The choice of the system azo compound/Mater-Bi permitted the preparation of novel materials by two simple methods: solvent casting (SC) and melt compounding followed by compression molding (MC). The second method is of particular interest, because it allows a scale-up to industrial production.…”