Issue 4, 2011

Covalent immobilization of nisin on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: superior antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties

Abstract

Despite unique and useful properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) such as high strength and a low synthesis cost, their weak antimicrobial property hampers their use as an antimicrobial material. Herein, we demonstrate that the immobilization of nisin, a natural and inexpensive antimicrobial peptide, with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG1000) as a linker significantly enhanced the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of MWNTs. The MWNT–nisin composite showed up to 7-fold higher antimicrobial property than pristine MWNTs against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Moreover, the MWNT–nisin composite had a dramatically improved capability to prevent biofilm formation both on a deposited film and in suspension. In particular, the MWNT–nisin deposit film exhibited a 100-fold higher anti-biofilm property than the MWNT deposit film. Further, it has been shown that PEG and nisin are covalently attached to MWNTs with excellent stability against leaching. We envision that our novel MWNT–nisin composite can serve as an effective and economical antimicrobial material.

Graphical abstract: Covalent immobilization of nisin on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: superior antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 Jan 2011
Accepted
28 Jan 2011
First published
22 Mar 2011

Nanoscale, 2011,3, 1874-1880

Covalent immobilization of nisin on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: superior antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties

X. Qi, G. Poernomo, K. Wang, Y. Chen, M. B. Chan-Park, R. Xu and M. W. Chang, Nanoscale, 2011, 3, 1874 DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10024F

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