Facile Synthesis of Antimicrobial Aloe Vera-“Smart” Triiodide-PVP Biomaterials

• Main Authors: Zehra Edis, Samir Haj Bloukh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Biomimetics
• Subjects: <i>Aloe vera</i>; antibiotic resistance; biomaterials; antimicrobial activity; biodegradable; surgical site infections
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/5/3/45

Antibiotic resistance is an eminent threat for the survival of mankind. Nosocomial infections caused by multidrug resistant microorganisms are a reason for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Plant-based antimicrobial agents are based on synergistic mechanisms which prevent resistance and have been used for centuries against ailments. We suggest the use of cost-effective, eco-friendly <i>Aloe Vera Barbadensis</i> Miller (AV)-iodine biomaterials as a new generation of antimicrobial agents. In a facile, one-pot synthesis, we encapsulated fresh AV gel with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizing agent and incorporated iodine moieties in the form of iodine (I₂) and sodium iodide (NaI) into the polymer matrix. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) verified the composition of AV-PVP-I₂, AV-PVP-I₂-NaI. AV, AV-PVP, AV-PVP-I₂, AV-PVP-I₂-NaI, and AV-PVP-NaI were tested in-vitro by disc diffusion assay and dip-coated on polyglycolic acid (PGA) sutures against ten microbial reference strains. All the tested pathogens were more susceptible towards AV-PVP-I₂ due to the inclusion of “smart” triiodides with halogen bonding in vitro and on dip-coated sutures. The biocomplexes AV-PVP-I₂, AV-PVP-I₂-NaI showed remarkable antimicrobial properties. “Smart” biohybrids with triiodide inclusions have excellent antifungal and promising antimicrobial activities, with potential use against surgical site infections (SSI) and as disinfecting agents.