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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Physical Membrane-Stress-Mediated Antimicrobial Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystals

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Author(s):
Noronha, Victor T. [1, 2] ; Camargos, Camilla H. M. [3] ; Jackson, Jennifer C. [1] ; Souza Filho, Antonio G. [4] ; Paula, Amauri J. [2] ; Rezende, Camila A. [3] ; Faria, Andreia F. [1]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Florida, Engn Sch Sustainable Infrastruct & Environm, Dept Environm Engn Sci, Gainesville, FL 32611 - USA
[2] Fed Univ Ceara UFC, Dept Phys, Solid Biol Interfaces Grp, BR-60455900 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil
[3] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Chem, Phys Chem Dept, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Ceara UFC, Ctr Ciencias, Dept Fis, BR-60455900 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING; v. 9, n. 8, p. 3203-3212, MAR 1 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 2
Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have emerged as a sustainable nanomaterial for several environmental applications, including the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Although previous studies have reported antibacterial activity for CNCs, their toxicity mechanism to bacterial cells is still unknown. Here, we investigate the toxicity of CNCs dispersed in water and coated surfaces against Escherichia coli cells. CNC-coated surfaces were able to inactivate approximately 90% of the attached E. coli cells, confirming potential of CNCs to be applied as a sustainable and cost-effective antibiofouling nanomaterial. The toxicity of CNCs in a suspension was concentration-dependent, and an inhibitory concentration (IC50%) of 200 mu g/mL was found. Glutathione and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluor- escein diacetate (H(2)DCFA) assays were conducted to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the CNC toxicity mechanism. Our findings showed that oxidative stress has no significant effect on the antimicrobial activity of CNC. In contrast, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and a leakage assay performed with dye-encapsulated phospholipid vesicles indicated that CNCs inactivate bacteria by physically damaging their cell membrane. CNC interaction with dye-encapsulated vesicles resulted in a dye leakage corresponding to 43% of the maximum value, thus confirming that contact-mediated membrane stress is the mechanism governing the toxicity of CNCs to bacteria cells. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/23769-1 - Preparation and applications of nanostructures from plant biomass
Grantee:Camila Alves de Rezende
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants