Porphyrin-Loaded Lignin Nanoparticles Against Bacteria: A Photodynamic Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Application

An Overview of Polymeric Nanoplatforms to Deliver Veterinary Antimicrobials

There is an urgent need to find new solutions for the global dilemma of increasing antibiotic resistance in humans and animals. Modifying the performance of existing antibiotics using the nanocarrier drug delivery system (DDS) is a good option considering economic costs, labor costs, and time investment compared to the development of new antibiotics. Numerous studies on nanomedicine carriers that can be used for humans are available in the literature, but relatively few studies have been reported specifically for veterinary pharmaceutical products. Polymer-based nano-DDS are becoming a research hotspot in the pharmaceutical industry owing to their advantages, such as stability and modifiability. This review presents current research progress on polymer-based nanodelivery systems for veterinary antimicrobial drugs, focusing on the role of polymeric materials in enhancing drug performance. The use of polymer-based nanoformulations improves treatment compliance in livestock and companion animals, thereby reducing the workload of managers. Although promising advances have been made, many obstacles remain to be addressed before nanoformulations can be used in a clinical setting. Some crucial issues currently facing this field, including toxicity, quality control, and mass production, are discussed in this review. With the continuous optimization of nanotechnology, polymer-based DDS has shown its potential in reducing antibiotic resistance to veterinary medicines.

A Review of Phototoxic Plants, Their Phototoxic Metabolites, and Possible Developments as Photosensitizers

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding phototoxic terrestrial plants and their phototoxic and photosensitizing metabolites. Within the 435,000 land plant species, only around 250 vascular plants have been documented as phototoxic or implicated in phototoxic occurrences in humans and animals. This work compiles a comprehensive catalog of these phototoxic plant species, organized alphabetically based on their taxonomic family. The dataset encompasses meticulous details including taxonomy, geographical distribution, vernacular names, and information on the nature and structure of their phototoxic and photosensitizing molecule(s). Subsequently, this study undertook an in-depth investigation into phototoxic molecules, resulting in the compilation of a comprehensive and up-to-date list of phytochemicals exhibiting phototoxic or photosensitizing activity synthesized by terrestrial plants. For each identified molecule, an extensive review was conducted, encompassing discussions on its phototoxic activity, chemical family, occurrence in plant families or species, distribution within different plant tissues and organs, as well as the biogeographical locations of the producer species worldwide. The analysis also includes a thorough discussion on the potential use of these molecules for the development of new photosensitizers that could be used in topical or injectable formulations for antimicrobial and anticancer phototherapy as well as manufacturing of photoactive devices.

Boosting photo-induced antimicrobial activity of lignin nanoparticles with curcumin and zinc oxide

Lignin nanoparticles have gained increasing attention as a potential antimicrobial agent due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. However, the limited ability of lignin to act as an antibacterial is a major barrier to its widespread use. Thus, it is crucial to develop novel approaches to amplify lignin's biological capabilities in order to promote its effective utilization. In this study, we modified lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) with photo-active curcumin (Cur), zinc oxide (ZnO), or a combination of both to enhance their antimicrobial properties. The successful modifications of LNPs were confirmed using comprehensive characterization techniques. The antimicrobial efficacy of the modified LNPs was assessed against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The results showed that the modification of LNPs with Cur and ZnO have much higher antibacterial and antibiofilm activities than unmodified LNPs. Moreover, photo illumination resulted in even higher antibacterial activity. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy revealed bacterial cells lysis and membrane damage by ZnO/Cur modified LNPs. Our research demonstrates that ZnO/Cur modified LNPs can serve as novel hybrid materials with enhanced antimicrobial capabilities. In addition, the photo-induced enhancement in antibacterial activity not only demonstrated the versatility of this hybrid material but also opened up interesting potential for bioinspired therapeutics agents.

A Comprehensive Mini-Review on Lignin-Based Nanomaterials for Food Applications: Systemic Advancement and Future Trends

The shift to an environmentally friendly material economy requires renewable resource exploration. This shift may depend on lignin valorization. Lignin is an aromatic polymer that makes up one-third of total lingo-cellulosic biomass and is separated into large amounts for biofuel and paper manufacture. This renewable polymer is readily available at a very low cost as nearly all the lignin that is produced each year (90-100 million tons) is simply burned as a low-value fuel. Lignin offers potential qualities for many applications, and yet it is underutilized. This Perspective highlights lignin-based material prospects and problems in food packaging, antimicrobial, and agricultural applications. The first half will discuss the present and future studies on exploiting lignin as an addition to improve food packaging's mechanical, gas, UV, bioactive molecules, polyphenols, and antioxidant qualities. Second, lignin's antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses will be discussed. In conclusion, lignin agriculture will be discussed in the food industries.

Mechanistic study of the increased phototoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to Chlorella vulgaris in the presence of NOM eco-corona

Widespread applications and release of photoactive nanoparticles (NPs) such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) into environmental matrices warrant mechanistic investigations addressing toxicity of NPs under environmentally relevant conditions. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of surface adsorbed natural organic matters (NOMs) such as humic acid, tannic acid and lignin on the band gap energy, abiotic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, surface chemistry and phototoxicity of TiO₂ NPs. Initially, a liquid assisted grinding method was optimized to produce TiO₂ NPs with a NOM layer of defined thickness for further analysis. Generally, adsorption of NOM reduced the band-gap energy of TiO₂ NPs from 3.08 eV to 0.56 eV with humic acid, 1.92 eV with tannic acid and 2.48 eV with lignin. Light activated ROS generation by TiO₂ NPs such as hydroxyl radicals, however, was reduced by 4, 2, 9 times in those coated with humic acid, tannic acid and lignin, respectively. This reduction in ROS despite decrease in band gap energy corroborated with the decreased surface oxygen vacancy (as revealed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)) and quenching of ROS by surface adsorbed NOM. Despite the reduced ROS generation, the NOM-modified TiO₂ NPs exhibited an increased phototoxicity to Chlorella vulgaris in comparison to pristine TiO₂ NPs. Further analysis suggested that photoactivation of NOM modified TiO₂ NPs releases toxic degradation products. Findings from our studies thus provide mechanistic insight into the ecotoxic potential of NOM-modified TiO₂ NPs when exposed to light in the environment.

Newly Synthesized Lignin Microparticles as Bioinspired Oral Drug-Delivery Vehicles: Flavonoid-Carrier Potential and In Vitro Radical-Scavenging Activity

The aim of the present study was to synthesize lignin microparticles, to evaluate their physicochemical, spectral, morphological and structural characteristics, to examine their encapsulation and in vitro release potential and behaviour towards the flavonoid morin in simulated physiological medium and to assess the in vitro radical-scavenging potential of the morin-loaded lignin microcarrier systems. The physicochemical, structural and morphological characteristics of alkali lignin, lignin particles (LP) and morin-encapsulated lignin microparticles (LMP) were determined based on particle size distribution, SEM, UV/Vis spectrophotometric, FTIR and potentiometric titration analyses. The encapsulation efficiency of LMP was 98.1%. The FTIR analyses proved that morin was successfully encapsulated in the LP without unexpected chemical reactions between the flavonoid and the heteropolymer. The in vitro release performance of the microcarrier system was successfully mathematically described by Korsmeyer–Peppas and the sigmoidal models outlining the general role of diffusion during the initial stages of the in vitro release process in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), and the predominant contribution of biopolymer relaxation and erosion was determined in simulated intestinal medium (SIF). The higher radical-scavenging potential of LMP, as compared to that of LP, was proven via DPPH and ABTS assays. The synthesis of lignin microcarriers not only provides a facile approach for the utilization of the heteropolymer but also determines its potential for the design of drug-delivery matrices.

Porphyrin Photosensitizers Grafted in Cellulose Supports: A Review

Cellulose is the most abundant natural biopolymer and owing to its compatibility with biological tissues, it is considered a versatile starting material for developing new and sustainable materials from renewable resources. With the advent of drug-resistance among pathogenic microorganisms, recent strategies have focused on the development of novel treatment options and alternative antimicrobial therapies, such as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). This approach encompasses the combination of photoactive dyes and harmless visible light, in the presence of dioxygen, to produce reactive oxygen species that can selectively kill microorganisms. Photosensitizers for aPDT can be adsorbed, entrapped, or linked to cellulose-like supports, providing an increase in the surface area, with improved mechanical strength, barrier, and antimicrobial properties, paving the way to new applications, such as wound disinfection, sterilization of medical materials and surfaces in different contexts (industrial, household and hospital), or prevention of microbial contamination in packaged food. This review will report the development of porphyrinic photosensitizers supported on cellulose/cellulose derivative materials to achieve effective photoinactivation. A brief overview of the efficiency of cellulose based photoactive dyes for cancer, using photodynamic therapy (PDT), will be also discussed. Particular attention will be devoted to the synthetic routes behind the preparation of the photosensitizer-cellulose functional materials.

High value valorization of lignin as environmental benign antimicrobial

Lignin is a natural aromatic polymer of p-hydroxyphenylpropanoids with various biological activities. Noticeably, plants have made use of lignin as biocides to defend themselves from pathogen microbial invasions. Thus, the use of isolated lignin as environmentally benign antimicrobial is believed to be a promising high value approach for lignin valorization. On the other hand, as green and sustainable product of plant photosynthesis, lignin should be beneficial to reduce the carbon footprint of antimicrobial industry. There have been many reports that make use of lignin to prepare antimicrobials for different applications. However, lignin is highly heterogeneous polymers different in their monomers, linkages, molecular weight, and functional groups. The structure and property relationship, and the mechanism of action of lignin as antimicrobial remains ambiguous. To show light on these issues, we reviewed the publications on lignin chemistry, antimicrobial activity of lignin models and isolated lignin and associated mechanism of actions, approaches in synthesis of lignin with improved antimicrobial activity, and the applications of lignin as antimicrobial in different fields. Hopefully, this review will help and inspire researchers in the preparation of lignin antimicrobial for their applications.

Antibacterial lignin-based nanoparticles and their use in composite materials

Lignin, one of the most abundant biopolymers on earth, has been traditionally considered a low-value by-product of the pulp and paper industries. This renewable raw material, besides being a source of valuable molecules for the chemical industry, also has antioxidant, UV-absorbing, and antibacterial properties in its macromolecular form. Moreover, lignin in the form of nanoparticles (LigNPs) presents advantages over bulk lignin, such as higher reactivity due to its larger surface-to-volume ratio. In view of the rapid surge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), caused by the overuse of antibiotics, continuous development of novel antibacterial agents is needed. The use of LigNPs as antibacterial agents is a suitable alternative to conventional antibiotics for topical application or chemical disinfectants for surfaces and packaging. Besides, their multiple and unspecific targets in the bacterial cell may prevent the emergence of AMR. This review summarizes the latest developments in antibacterial nano-formulated lignin, both in dispersion and embedded in materials. The following roles of lignin in the formulation of antibacterial NPs have been analyzed: (i) an antibacterial active in nanoformulations, (ii) a reducing and capping agent for antimicrobial metals, and (iii) a carrier of other antibacterial agents. Finally, the review covers the inclusion of LigNPs in films, fibers, hydrogels, and foams, for obtaining antibacterial lignin-based nanocomposites for a variety of applications, including food packaging, wound healing, and medical coatings.

The Practical Utility of Imidazolium Hydrogen Sulfate Ionic Liquid in Fabrication of Lignin-Based Spheres: Structure Characteristic and Antibacterial Activity

In this study, lignin-based spherical particles (Lig-IL) with the use of 1-(propoxymethyl)-1H-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate were prepared in different biopolymer and ionic liquid (IL) weight ratios. The application of IL during the preparation of spherical particles is an innovative method, which may be beneficial for further applications. The particles were obtained with the use of the soft-templating method and their chemical, structural and morphological characterization was performed. The spherical shape of products and their size (91–615 nm) was confirmed with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and the particle size distribution results. The attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra were analyzed to identify functional groups of all precursors and produced material and it was confirmed, that all materials exhibit characteristic hydroxyl and carboxylic groups, but the presence of carbonyl group was detected. Moreover, the zeta potential analysis was performed to evaluate the electrokinetic behavior of obtained materials. It was confirmed, that all materials are colloidally stable in pH above 4. Produced lignin-based spherical particles were used for evaluation of their antibacterial properties. Particles were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a gram-positive bacterium, and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a gram-negative one. It was observed, that only the material with the highest addition of IL showed the antibacterial properties against both strains. A reduction of 50% in the number of microorganisms was observed for particles with the addition of hydrogen sulfate ionic liquid in a 1:1 ratio after 1 h. However, all prepared materials exhibited the antibacterial activity against a gram-positive bacterium.

Research Progress on the Preparation and High-Value Utilization of Lignin Nanoparticles

Lignin nanoparticles, the innovative achievements in the development and utilization of lignin, combine the structural characteristics of nanomaterials and lignin molecules and have a wide range of applications. In this review, we summarize the methods for preparing lignin nanoparticles by solvent exchange method, mechanical method, biological enzymatic method, interface polymerization/crosslinking method, and spray freezing method, and emphatically introduce the application prospects of lignin nanoparticles in ultraviolet protection, antibacterial, nano-filler, drug delivery, and adsorption, aiming to provide a certain reference direction for additional high-value applications of lignin nanoparticles.

Fiber-optic sample illuminator design for the observation of light induced phenomena with transmission electron microscopy in situ: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment for problematic infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Despite its undoubted effectiveness, the ultrastructural mechanism of microbial death remains not fully described and distinct organisms respond to the treatment with different efficacy. For this reason, it was decided to try imaging the process using the in situ transmission electron microscopy method. To conduct an observational experiment, the microscope was significantly modified. Liquid cell methods were used, electron doses and their influence on the sample were estimated, and a fiber-optic sample illuminator was designed and built. The modifications allowed for the light-induced characterization of photosensitizer-bacteria interaction. Microscope modification is a promising platform for further studies of light-induced phenomena in both life and material science.

Light-induced in situ transmission electron microscopy: Novel approach for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy imaging

The novel approach for imaging of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy processes presented in this work is based on transmission electron microscopy methods. With the use of liquid cell, illumination system, and lowered electron dose the successful light-induced in-situ observations on Staphylococcus aureus encapsulated with methylene blue were performed. Results showed that with specified imaging parameters it is possible to conduct reliable research on bacteria in electron microscope despite the unfavorable damaging effect of the highly energetic electron beam used for imaging. This approach differs from the common methods, as it provides direct observations of the processes occurring upon light illumination. The effects obtained with the proposed method are very promising and may serve to answer why different microorganisms respond to the therapy differently.

Photophysical and Antibacterial Properties of Porphyrins Encapsulated inside Acetylated Lignin Nanoparticles

Lignin has recently attracted the attention of the scientific community, as a suitable raw material for biomedical applications. In this work, acetylated lignin was used to encapsulate five different porphyrins, aiming to preserve their photophysical properties, and for further use as antibacterial treatment. The obtained nanoparticles were physically characterized, through dynamic light scattering size measurement, polydispersity index and zeta potential values. Additionally, the photophysical properties of the nanoparticles, namely UV-vis absorption, fluorescence emission, singlet oxygen production and photobleaching, were compared with those of the free porphyrins. It was found that all the porphyrins were susceptible to encapsulation, with an observed decrease in their fluorescence quantum yield and singlet oxygen production. These nanoparticles were able to exert an effective photodynamic bactericide effect (blue-LED light, 450-460 nm, 15 J/cm2) on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, it was achieved a photodynamic bactericidal activity on an encapsulated lipophillic porphyrin, where the free porphyrin failed to diminish the bacterial survival. In this work it was demonstrated that acetylated lignin encapsulation works as a universal, cheap and green material for the delivery of porphyrins, while preserving their photophysical properties.