A scalable route to quaternary ammonium-functionalized AgCl colloidal antimicrobials inhibiting food pathogenic bacteria and biofilms
Diellza Bajrami,
Syed Imdadul Hossain,
Alexia Barbarossa,
Maria Chiara Sportelli,
Rosaria Anna Picca,
Luigi Gentile,
Francesco Mastrolonardo,
Antonio Rosato,
Alessia Carocci,
Nicola Antonio Colabufo,
Boris Mizaikoff,
Nicola Cioffi
Affiliations
Diellza Bajrami
Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
Syed Imdadul Hossain
Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy; CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
Alexia Barbarossa
Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
Maria Chiara Sportelli
Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy; CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
Rosaria Anna Picca
Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy; CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
Luigi Gentile
Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy; CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
Francesco Mastrolonardo
Biofordrug Srl, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Dante 95, 70019, Triggiano, Bari, Italy
Antonio Rosato
Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
Alessia Carocci
Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
Nicola Antonio Colabufo
Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy; Biofordrug Srl, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Dante 95, 70019, Triggiano, Bari, Italy
Boris Mizaikoff
Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany; Hahn-Schickard, Sedanstrasse 14, 89077, Ulm, Germany; Corresponding author. Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
Nicola Cioffi
Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy; CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy; Corresponding author. Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy.
This study explores how a simple argentometric titration-like approach could be evolved into a versatile, scalable, fast, and robust strategy for the production of AgCl/quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) colloidal nanoantimicrobials (NAMs). These systems, which are green, stable, cost-effective, and reproducible are found to be effective against a wide range of food pathogenic bacteria and biofilms. The option of a large-scale production for such colloidal suspensions was explored via the use of a peristaltic pump. The utilization of various types of biosafe QACs and a wide range of solvents including aqueous and organic ones renders this system green and versatile. Nanocolloids (NCs) were characterized using UV–Vis, X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Their morphology and crystalline nature were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area diffraction pattern (SAED). Nanoparticle (NP) size distribution and hydrodynamic radius were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), while the ζ-potential was found to be highly positive, thus indicating significant colloidal stability and antimicrobial activity. In fact, the higher the NP surface charge, the stronger was their bioactivity. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of the as-prepared NCs were tested against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Listeria monocytogenes 46, and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The results clearly indicate that AgCl/QACs provide pronounced antibiofilm activity with long-term bacteriostatic effects against foodborne pathogenic bacteria rendering them an ideal choice for active food packaging systems.
