Preventing biofilms by chitosan-based nanoantimicrobials (NAMs)

Chitosan (CS), a natural non-toxic polysaccharide, shows intrinsic antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogens. CS and CS-based biomaterials can be effective additives in food and medicine-related industries to inhibit growth of pathogens. The application of inorganic nanophases, such as metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, has received attention due to their broad and pronounced antimicrobial activity. Upon combination with CS, which can act as stabilizer, with active inorganic nanophases, robust synergistic nanoantimicrobial (NAM) systems can be produced. These hybrid NAMs offer an alternative strategy to fight antimicrobial resistance and overcome limitations of conventional antibiotics. Bioactive ZnO, Cu and Ag nanophases produced by green electrochemical approach [Nanomaterials, 10(3) (2020), 473] and laser ablation in solution [(Coll. Surf. A, 559 (2018), 148-158), (Food packaging shelf, 22 (2019), 1000422)] can be combined with antimicrobial CS to develop synergistic antimicrobial nanohybrids with amplified biological action. CS-based NAMs were preliminary characterized by electron microscopies and spectroscopic techniques. Hybrid NAMs may find application in the control and inhibition of biofilm growth.

Acknowledgements
Financial support is acknowledged from European Union’s 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 813439