Effective delivery of volatile biocides employing mesoporous silicates for treating biofilms

• Published in: Journal of the Royal Society interface 2017-01, Vol.14 (126), p.20160650-20160650
• Main Authors: Chan, Andrea C., Bravo Cadena, Marimar, Townley, Helen E., Fricker, Mark D., Thompson, Ian P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrolein - analogs & derivatives; Acrolein - chemistry; Acrolein - pharmacology; Allyl Compounds - chemistry; Allyl Compounds - pharmacology; Allyl Isothiocyanate; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial activity; Antimicrobial agents; Biocides; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biofilms; Biofilms - drug effects; Biofilms - growth & development; Cinnamaldehyde; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; E coli; Escherichia coli - physiology; Exposure; Hydrophobicity; Isocyanates - chemistry; Isocyanates - pharmacology; Isothiocyanate; Life Sciences–Engineering interface; Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles; Metabolites; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Planktonic Bacteria; Porosity; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - physiology; Secondary metabolites; Silica; Silicates; Silicon dioxide; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Silicon Dioxide - pharmacology; Volatile compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1742-5689; 1742-5662
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0650

Nanoparticulate delivery of biocides has the potential to decrease levels of exposure to non-target organisms, and miminize long-term exposure that can promote the development of resistance. Silica nanoparticles are an ideal vehicle since they are inert, biocompatible, biodegradable, and thermally and chemically stable. Encapsulation of biocides within nanoparticulates can improve their stability and longevity and maximize the biocidal potential of hydrophobic volatile compounds. Herein, we have shown that the plant secondary metabolites allyl isothiocyanate and cinnamaldehyde demonstrated increased antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli in planktonic form, when packaged into mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Furthermore, the biocide-loaded nanoparticles showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms that have inherent resistance to antimicrobial agents. The delivery platform can also be expanded to traditional biocides and other non-conventional antimicrobial agents.