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Antibiotics
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Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal
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Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Novel Antimicrobial Agents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 9566

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Helena Felgueiras

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Textile Science and Technology, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: antimicrobial agents concomitant; synergistic and additive effects surface functionalization; antimicrobial properties; biomedical therapies; bioactive molecules; green synthesis; environmentally friendly; circular economy; waste materials’ second life
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the increasing awareness of climate change and high pollution levels has expanded our sense of ecological responsibility. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most polluting industries. Additionally, new environmentally friendly approaches to deal with the growing concern associated with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are also in great demand. The excessive consumption and misuse of pharmaceutical products, namely antibiotics, have accelerated the increase in such pathogens responsible for compromising global health, not only that of humans but of all living systems. Considering our natural resources are in great danger, finding green and less environmentally impactful alternatives for combating these resistant microbials is imperative. From green chemistries and natural extracts to waste products, the sources for these alternative antimicrobial agents can be immense and their impact of great importance for future generations. This Special Issue seeks to further our understanding of the antimicrobial action of specialized molecules (organic and inorganic) derived from green and ecofriendly processes as alternatives to conventional antibiotics or other antimicrobial agents. Submissions on the response of microorganisms to these agents, their contribution to infection control, and prevention of serious conditions/illnesses from occurring or evolving are especially encouraged. Publications on the chemical modification, transformation, or engineering of such green systems, with improved antimicrobial effects for biomedical purposes, are highly welcome.

Dr. Helena Felgueiras
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial agents concomitant
  • synergistic and additive effects surface functionalization
  • antimicrobial properties
  • biomedical therapies
  • bioactive molecules
  • green synthesis
  • environmentally friendly
  • circular economy
  • waste materials’ second life

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 394 KiB  
Article
An Eco-Friendly Method to Synthesize Potent Antimicrobial Tricyclic Flavonoids
by Loredana-Elena Mantea, Cristina-Veronica Moldovan, Mihaela Savu, Laura Gabriela Sarbu, Marius Stefan and Mihail Lucian Birsa
Antibiotics 2024, 13(9), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13090798 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 877
Abstract
The rapid emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms is threatening our ability to treat common infections, with serious medical, social, and economic consequences. Despite substantial progress in the global fight against antibiotic resistance, the number of effective antibiotics is rapidly decreasing, underlying the [...] Read more.
The rapid emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms is threatening our ability to treat common infections, with serious medical, social, and economic consequences. Despite substantial progress in the global fight against antibiotic resistance, the number of effective antibiotics is rapidly decreasing, underlying the urgent need to develop novel antimicrobials. In the present study, the green synthesis of novel iodine-substituted tricyclic flavonoids has been accomplished using an eco-friendly reagent, HPW-SiO2, as a cyclization agent for the precursor 3-dithiocarmamic flavanones. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the new compounds was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations. All tested compounds displayed potent inhibitory activity against all tested microbial strains, with the lowest MIC values of 0.12 µg/mL and 0.48 µg/mL recorded for compound 5c against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Higher MIC values (7.81 µg/mL) were registered for several flavonoids against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter pittii. No inhibitory activity was evidenced against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. The highest antifungal activity was displayed by flavonoid 5d against Candida krusei (MIC = 3.9 µg/mL). The same compound also exhibited the most potent bactericidal and fungicidal activity against Bacillus subtilis (0.9 µg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (1.97 µg/mL), Candida albicans, and Candida krusei (7.81 µg/mL). Based on the reported results, we believe that the novel iodine-substituted tricyclic flavonoids have good potential to become new antimicrobial agents effective against bacterial and fungal strains, including WHO-priority pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal)
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8 pages, 3075 KiB  
Article
Complete Growth Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Organo-Selenium-Incorporated Urinary Catheter Material
by Phat L. Tran, Caroline L. Presson, Md Nayeem Hasan Kashem, Wei Li, Ted W. Reid and Werner T. W. de Riese
Antibiotics 2024, 13(8), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13080736 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 989
Abstract
To further investigate the inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s in vitro growth and biofilm formation by an organo-selenium-incorporated polyurethane (PU) catheter material. P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans were incubated in vitro with organo-selenium and control polyurethane catheter materials in [...] Read more.
To further investigate the inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s in vitro growth and biofilm formation by an organo-selenium-incorporated polyurethane (PU) catheter material. P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans were incubated in vitro with organo-selenium and control polyurethane catheter materials in the presence of glutathione. Growth was evaluated by a colony-forming-unit (CFU) count and visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two different PU catheter materials were used. Using tin-catalyzed PU catheter material, complete inhibition of S. aureus was seen at 1% selenium (Se), whereas no inhibition was seen for P. aeruginosa at up to 3.0% Se. Whereas, using a thermoplastic PU catheter material, 1.5% Se and 2% Se organo-selenium caused several logs of growth inhibition of P. aeruginosa, and 2.5% selenium, incorporation showed complete inhibition (8 logs). Samples with lower than 1.5% selenium did not show adequate growth inhibition for P. aeruginosa. Similar in vitro growth inhibition was achieved against a multidrug-resistant C. albicans strain. It was concluded that optimal inhibition of P. aeruginosa in vitro growth and biofilm formation occurs with 2.5% selenium incorporated as organo-selenium in a thermoplastic PU catheter material. These results suggest that reduced incidence of CAUTIs (catheter associated urinary tract infections) with P. aeruginosa and other bacteria and fungi can be achieved by using organo-selenium-incorporated catheters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal)
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18 pages, 5325 KiB  
Article
A New Convenient Method to Assess Antibiotic Resistance and Antimicrobial Efficacy against Pathogenic Clostridioides difficile Biofilms
by Lingjun Xu, Bijay Gurung, Chris Gu, Shaohua Wang and Tingyue Gu
Antibiotics 2024, 13(8), 728; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13080728 - 3 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1271
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a widely distributed anaerobic pathogen. C. difficile infection is a serious problem in healthcare. Its biofilms have been found to exhibit biocorrosivity, albeit very little, but sufficient for it to correlate with biofilm growth/health. This work demonstrated the use of [...] Read more.
Clostridioides difficile is a widely distributed anaerobic pathogen. C. difficile infection is a serious problem in healthcare. Its biofilms have been found to exhibit biocorrosivity, albeit very little, but sufficient for it to correlate with biofilm growth/health. This work demonstrated the use of a disposable electrochemical biofilm test kit using two solid-state electrodes (a 304 stainless steel working electrode, and a graphite counter electrode, which also served as the reference electrode) in a 10 mL serum vial. It was found that the C. difficile 630∆erm Adp-4 mutant had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for vancomycin twice that of the 630∆erm wild type strain in biofilm prevention (2 ppm vs. 1 ppm by mass) on 304 stainless steel. Glutaraldehyde, a commonly used hospital disinfectant, was found ineffective at 2% (w/w) for the prevention of C. difficile 630∆erm wild type biofilm formation, while tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate (THPS) disinfectant was very effective at 100 ppm for both biofilm prevention and biofilm killing. These antimicrobial efficacy data were consistent with sessile cell count and biofilm imaging results. Furthermore, the test kit provided additional transient biocide treatment information. It showed that vancomycin killed C. difficile 630∆erm wild type biofilms in 2 d, while THPS only required minutes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal)
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16 pages, 2328 KiB  
Article
Antifungal and Coagulation Properties of a Copper (I) Oxide Nanopowder Produced by Out-of-Phase Pulsed Sonoelectrochemistry
by Valérie Mancier, Sirine Fattoum, Hélène Haguet, Julie Laloy, Christina Maillet, Sophie C. Gangloff and Jean-Paul Chopart
Antibiotics 2024, 13(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13030286 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1483
Abstract
Copper (I) oxide (cuprite) is a material widely used nowadays, and its versatility is further amplified when it is brought to the nanometric size. Among the possible applications of this nanomaterial, one of the most interesting is that in the medical field. This [...] Read more.
Copper (I) oxide (cuprite) is a material widely used nowadays, and its versatility is further amplified when it is brought to the nanometric size. Among the possible applications of this nanomaterial, one of the most interesting is that in the medical field. This paper presents a cuprite nanopowder study with the aim of employing it in medical applications. With regards to the environmental context, the synthesis used is related to green chemistry since the technique (out-of-phase pulsed electrochemistry) uses few chemical products via electricity consumption and soft conditions of temperature and pressure. After different physico-chemical characterizations, the nanopowder was tested on the Candida albicans to determine its fungicide activity and on human blood to estimate its hemocompatibility. The results show that 2 mg of this nanopowder diluted in 30 µL Sabouraud broth was able to react with Candida albicans. The hemocompatibility tests indicate that for 25 to 100 µg/mL of nanopowder in an aqueous medium, the powder was not toxic for human blood (no hemolysis nor platelet aggregation) but promoted blood coagulation. It appears, therefore, as a potential candidate for the functionalization of matrices for medical applications (wound dressing or operating field, for example). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal)
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14 pages, 5955 KiB  
Article
The In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Argirium SUNc against Most Common Pathogenic and Spoilage Food Bacteria
by Andrea Mancusi, Marica Egidio, Raffaele Marrone, Luca Scotti, Domenico Paludi, Irene Dini and Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga
Antibiotics 2024, 13(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13010109 - 22 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2038
Abstract
Foodborne diseases are one of the main issues for human health, and antibacterial packaging plays a major role in food security assurance. Silver ultra nanoparticles (Argirium SUNc) are antimicrobial agents that have a wide spectrum of action, including against pathogenic bacteria and spoilage [...] Read more.
Foodborne diseases are one of the main issues for human health, and antibacterial packaging plays a major role in food security assurance. Silver ultra nanoparticles (Argirium SUNc) are antimicrobial agents that have a wide spectrum of action, including against pathogenic bacteria and spoilage fungi. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Argirium SUNc on the bacteria most commonly found in food: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium. In this regard, an in vitro study was carried out by assessing the Argirium SUNc effectiveness on different concentrations of each tested microbial strain and at different time intervals. The data showed that the antimicrobial activity of Argirium SUNc was directly related to the microbial concentration and varied depending on the microbial species. Moreover, a greater effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria was observed. These preliminary results provided important information on the silver nanoparticles spectrum of action, and this is an aspect that appears particularly promising for obtaining a viable alternative to traditional antimicrobials to be used against the pathogens and spoilage agents most commonly found in the food chain, harmful both to health and quality aspects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal)
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17 pages, 1586 KiB  
Review
Current View on Major Natural Compounds Endowed with Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects
by Roberto Arrigoni, Andrea Ballini, Emilio Jirillo and Luigi Santacroce
Antibiotics 2024, 13(7), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13070603 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
Nowadays, infectious diseases of bacterial and viral origins represent a serious medical problem worldwide. In fact, the development of antibiotic resistance is responsible for the emergence of bacterial strains that are refractory even to new classes of antibiotics. Furthermore, the recent COVID-19 pandemic [...] Read more.
Nowadays, infectious diseases of bacterial and viral origins represent a serious medical problem worldwide. In fact, the development of antibiotic resistance is responsible for the emergence of bacterial strains that are refractory even to new classes of antibiotics. Furthermore, the recent COVID-19 pandemic suggests that new viruses can emerge and spread all over the world. The increase in infectious diseases depends on multiple factors, including malnutrition, massive migration of population from developing to industrialized areas, and alteration of the human microbiota. Alternative treatments to conventional antibiotics and antiviral drugs have intensively been explored. In this regard, plants and marine organisms represent an immense source of products, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, lanthipeptides, and terpenoids, which possess antibacterial and antiviral activities. Their main mechanisms of action involve modifications of bacterial cell membranes, with the formation of pores, the release of cellular content, and the inhibition of bacterial adherence to host cells, as well as of the efflux pump. Natural antivirals can interfere with viral replication and spreading, protecting the host with the enhanced production of interferon. Of note, these antivirals are not free of side effects, and their administration to humans needs more research in terms of safety. Preclinical research with natural antibacterial and antiviral compounds confirms their effects against bacteria and viruses, but there are still only a few clinical trials. Therefore, their full exploitation and more intensive clinical studies represent the next steps to be pursued in this area of medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Antimicrobials in Biomedical Engineering: Recent Advances Proposal)
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