Background & Objectives: The spread of drug resistance and limited effects of antibiotics on the pathogenic biofilms along with the increasing number of hospital infections have imposed heavy costs on the healthcare system. In the present study, quercetin-barium pho
More
Background & Objectives: The spread of drug resistance and limited effects of antibiotics on the pathogenic biofilms along with the increasing number of hospital infections have imposed heavy costs on the healthcare system. In the present study, quercetin-barium phosphate hybrid nanostructures were fabricated and characterized in order to improve their antibiofilm activity.
Materials and methods: To prepare hybrid nanostructures, barium sulfate was added to sodium phosphate buffer containing quercetin (0.1 mg mL–1), the reaction mixture was sonicated for 10 min, and the obtained precipitate was collected. To obtain the hybrid nanostructures with the maximum immobilized quercetin, the concentrations of phosphate buffer and barium sulfate were examined in the range of 50–250 mM and 10–50 mM, respectively. The prepared hybrid nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis, their effects were evaluated in preventing and destroying bacterial biofilms as well.
Results: The immobilization yield of quercetin within hybrid structures was 95%. The scanning electron microscope images showed fiber-like structures with smooth, knot-free, and uniform surfaces. Quercetin-barium phosphate hybrid nanofibers significantly inhibited the biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus by 100% and 80%. Also, in the presence of the immobilized quercetin (500 mg L–1), biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were destroyed by 75% and 70%.
Conclusion: Due to the notable antibiofilm properties of quercetin-barium phosphate hybrid nanofibers, they could be useful in medical devices, and therapeutic and environmental processes.
Manuscript profile
