Synthesis and antibacterial activity evaluation of a novel cotton fiber ( Gossypium barbadense) ampicillin derivative

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 78; no. 3; pp. 639 - 641
• Main Authors: Cassano, Roberta, Trombino, Sonia, Ferrarelli, Teresa, Muzzalupo, Rita, Tavano, Lorena, Picci, Nevio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Ampicillin; Antibacterial activity; antibacterial properties; antibiotics; Applied sciences; Biopolymers; cellulosic fibers; chemical structure; Cotton fibers ( Gossypium barbadense); degree of substitution; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Gossypium barbadense; impregnated fabrics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; synthesis; Technology of polymers; textile fibers; wound dressings; Antibacterial activity; Ampicillin; Biopolymers; Cotton fibers ( Gossypium barbadense); Biological properties; Molecular structure; Experimental study; Esterification; Bactericidal effect; Chemical modification; Cotton fibers (Gossypium barbadense); Preparation; Liquid solid reaction; Cellulose organic ester; Antibacterial agent; Cotton fiber
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 0008-6223; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2009.05.030

We prepared cellulose cotton fibers containing ampicillin moieties and evaluated their antibacterial activity. In spite of recent progress in experimental and clinical medicine, the problem of chronic wounds treatment remains to be solved. In fact conventional methods are based on solutions of antibiotics and antiseptics and ointment bandages but the efficacy of this method is low and so the idea to use modified cotton gauzes would have to prevent infections insorgence during wounds healing. Ampicillin, a large spectrum antibiotic, was covalently coupled to cellulose backbone of hydrophilic cotton fibers by a heterogeneous synthesis to produce a functionalized biopolymer with a satisfactory degree of substitution (DS) and antibacterial activity. The obtained biopolymer was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Finally, the antibacterial activity in inhibiting microorganism growth in Petri dishes, was evaluated. The results suggested that these biomaterials posses an excellent “in vitro” antibacterial activity and so they can be efficiently employed in biomedical fields for chronic wounds management to ensure a valid protection against infections and contaminations. Biopolymers so functionalized were found to be very efficient to contrast sensible bacteria growth.