MOSCOW, Oct 11 Multifunctional cellulose biofilms enriched with nanoparticles from lingonberry leaves were developed by Siberian Federal University scientists as part of an international scientific team. According to them, the created product has antibacterial activity and can increase the shelf life of vegetables and fruits. The results are presented in Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology.
As the researchers said, many types of bacteria form the thinnest threads of cellulose, forming a multilayer mesh gel film — very strong, flexible and elastic. Due to their resistance to chemical influences and the ability to sorb various organic and inorganic compounds, such films are used in medicine, cosmetology, agriculture and the food industry.
Scientists at Siberian Federal University (SFU) and colleagues from Russia and India have created a new composite material based on cellulose nanofilm with silver and copper oxide nanoparticles.
“When producing bimetallic nanoparticles of silver and copper, an extract of lingonberry leaves (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) was used as a reducing agent. This is a widespread and popular plant in Siberia, including one known for its healing properties,” said a professor at the basic department of biotechnology at Siberian Federal University Svetlana Prudnikova.
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According to her, analysis of the resulting biohybrid films showed that metal nanoparticles were adsorbed on the surface and also penetrated into the nanofibrillar structure of cellulose, stabilizing it. And the inclusion of bimetallic nanoparticles in cellulose films gave them antimicrobial properties and catalytic activity.
“Hybrid nanocellulose films suppressed the growth of clinically significant pathogens that are a source of nosocomial infections. The antimicrobial properties of the film also prevented the growth of microbes that cause food spoilage. Thus, tomatoes packaged in hybrid nanocellulose remained fresh, retained moisture and were not subject to microbial spoilage for 30 days of storage,” explained Prudnikova.
The results of laboratory studies showed that the hybrid biofilms proposed by scientists suppress the growth of microorganisms such as Acinetobacter baumannii — the causative agent of meningitis, pneumonia, and wound infections; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), which causes pneumonia; and Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause more than 100 different diseases and is very resistant to some common antibiotics.
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Scientists believe that the practical application of the created composite looks quite promising. Such material could be used to develop antimicrobial wound dressings and wound healing coatings; for food packaging that extends the shelf life of food products. The catalytic and adsorption properties of hybrid nanocellulose can be used to create filtration membranes for water purification.
In the future, the research team plans to learn more about the biological evaluation of bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts, such as their biocompatibility and potential for biohybridization.
SibFU is a participant in the Russian state program for supporting universities «Priority-2030» of the national project «Science and Universities».