We report on the synthesis, characterization, and application of biomimetic, spherical Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with keratin (Ker-AuNPs). They are characterized in terms of morphological, spectral, and thermo-optical properties. Besides their excellent colloidal stability, Ker-AuNPs exhibit excellent biocompatibility. The latter is verified by performing viability assay experiments of a strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the presence of Ker-AuNPs as a function of the incubation time. Ker-AuNPs do not affect the E. coli viability and proliferation, even at the highest concentration tested (C = 5.83*10−5 M). Photo-thermal assisted viability experiments are performed by setting the starting temperature at 37 °C, mimicking the normal human body temperature condition. They evidence the capability of the Ker-AuNPs to generate a temperature up to about 73 °C (an increase of 36 °C), thus reducing the viability of bacterial cells 3 order of magnitudes. We also conducted a theoretical analysis with an ad-hoc model that evidences an excellent agreement between theory and experiments. Ker-AuNPs represent a new generation of multifunctional nanotherapeutics, and they constitute a new opportunity in drug-free and minimally invasive biomedical applications.
Annesi, F., Pane, A., Pezzi, L., Pagliusi, P., Losso, M., Stamile, B., et al. (2021). Biocompatible and biomimetic keratin capped Au nanoparticles enable the inactivation of mesophilic bacteria via photo-thermal therapy. COLLOIDS AND SURFACES. A, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS, 625 [10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126950].
Biocompatible and biomimetic keratin capped Au nanoparticles enable the inactivation of mesophilic bacteria via photo-thermal therapy
Contardi M.;
2021
Abstract
We report on the synthesis, characterization, and application of biomimetic, spherical Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with keratin (Ker-AuNPs). They are characterized in terms of morphological, spectral, and thermo-optical properties. Besides their excellent colloidal stability, Ker-AuNPs exhibit excellent biocompatibility. The latter is verified by performing viability assay experiments of a strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the presence of Ker-AuNPs as a function of the incubation time. Ker-AuNPs do not affect the E. coli viability and proliferation, even at the highest concentration tested (C = 5.83*10−5 M). Photo-thermal assisted viability experiments are performed by setting the starting temperature at 37 °C, mimicking the normal human body temperature condition. They evidence the capability of the Ker-AuNPs to generate a temperature up to about 73 °C (an increase of 36 °C), thus reducing the viability of bacterial cells 3 order of magnitudes. We also conducted a theoretical analysis with an ad-hoc model that evidences an excellent agreement between theory and experiments. Ker-AuNPs represent a new generation of multifunctional nanotherapeutics, and they constitute a new opportunity in drug-free and minimally invasive biomedical applications.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.