Antibiotics (Dec 2022)

Antimicrobial Nanomaterials Based on Halloysite Clay Mineral: Research Advances and Outlook

  • Marina Massaro,
  • Rebecca Ciani,
  • Giuseppe Cinà,
  • Carmelo Giuseppe Colletti,
  • Federica Leone,
  • Serena Riela

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11121761
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 12
p. 1761

Abstract

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Bacterial infections represent one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. Therefore, over the years, several nanomaterials with antibacterial properties have been developed. In this context, clay minerals, because of their intrinsic properties, have been efficiently used as antimicrobial agents since ancient times. Halloysite nanotubes are one of the emerging nanomaterials that have found application as antimicrobial agents in several fields. In this review, we summarize some examples of the use of pristine and modified halloysite nanotubes as antimicrobial agents, scaffolds for wound healing and orthopedic implants, fillers for active food packaging, and carriers for pesticides in food pest control.

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