1. Bromelain and nisin: The natural antimicrobials with high potential in biomedicineUrška Jančič, Selestina Gorgieva, 2022, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Infectious diseases along with various cancer types are among the most significant public
health problems and the leading cause of death worldwide. The situation has become even more
complex with the rapid development of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. New drugs are urgently
needed to curb the increasing spread of diseases in humans and livestock. Promising candidates
are natural antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, and therapeutic enzymes, extracted from
medicinal plants. This review highlights the structure and properties of plant origin bromelain and
antimicrobial peptide nisin, along with their mechanism of action, the immobilization strategies, and
recent applications in the field of biomedicine. Future perspectives towards the commercialization of
new biomedical products, including these important bioactive compounds, have been highlighted. Ključne besede: bromelain, nisin, bioactivity, antimicrobial agent, biomedicine, carrier Objavljeno v DKUM: 27.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 0
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2. Supercritical fluid and conventional extractions of high value-added compounds from pomegranate peels waste: production, quantification and antimicrobial activity of bioactive constituentsKaja Kupnik, Maja Leitgeb, Mateja Primožič, Vesna Postružnik, Petra Kotnik, Nika Kučuk, Željko Knez, Maša Knez Marevci, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study is focused on different extractions (Cold Maceration (CM), Ultrasonic Extraction
(UE), Soxhlet Extraction (SE) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE)) of bioactive compounds from
pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) fruit peels using methanol, ethanol, and acetone as solvents in
conventional extractions and changing operating pressure (10, 15, 20, 25 MPa) in SFE, respectively.
The extraction yields, total phenols (TP) and proanthocyanidins (PAC) contents, and antioxidant
activity of different extracts are revealed. TP and PAC recovered by extracts ranged from 24.22 to
42.92 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 2.01 to 5.82 mg PAC/g, respectively. The antioxidant
activity of extracts ranged from 84.70% to 94.35%. The phenolic compound identification and
quantification in selective extracts was done using the LC-MS/MS method. The contents of different
flavonoids and phenolic acids have been determined. SFE extract, obtained at 20 MPa, contained
the highest content (11,561.84 µg/g) of analyzed total polyphenols, with predominant ellagic acid
(7492.53 µg/g). For the first time, Microbial Growth Inhibition Rates (MGIRs) were determined at
five different concentrations of pomegranate SFE extract against seven microorganisms. Minimal
Inhibitory Concentration (MIC90) was determined as 2.7 mg/mL of SFE pomegranate peel extract in
the case of five different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Ključne besede: antimicrobial activity, antioxidants, bioactive compounds, extraction, LC-MS/MS, phenolics, phytochemistry, pomegranate, Punica Granatum L., secondary metabolites Objavljeno v DKUM: 24.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 1
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3. Nisin-loaded gelatin microparticles for the enhanced bioactivity of bacterial nanocelluloseMaša Hren, Janja Trček, Aleksandra Šakanović, Hristina Obradović, Mateja Erdani-Kreft, Silvo Hribernik, Selestina Gorgieva, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Bacterial nanocellulose (BnC) is of immense importance in medicine, although its lack of bioactivity present intriguing issue. We propose a method to modify BnC with gelatin and nisin biomolecules, and explore their synergistic effect on the antimicrobial activity. Gelatin microparticles (without/with nisin loading) with a size ~0.5 μm and ~ 1.3 μm were prepared by spray drying and stabilised by dehydrothermal treatment. Modified BnC-based membranes supported the formation of biologically relevant minerals and were non-cytotoxic to human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF). The presence of gelatin microparticles improved the viability of HGF by approximately 20 %, due to the effect of gelatin alone, independent of the addition of nisin. BnC coated with a nisin/gelatin solution reduces the viability of HGF by about 20 %, but this negative effect is not observed by nisin coated gelatin microparticles. The cell viability of BnC membranes was above 90 % in both porcine and human urothelial cells. The antimicrobial activity study confirmed an inhibitory effect of membranes modified with nisin-coated microparticles or a gelatin/nisin solution against Staphylococcus aureus at a non-cytotoxic nisin dose (150 μg/mL). The study demonstrates the structural effects of gelatin and gelatin/nisin mixtures on the bioactivity of BnC and provides a rationale for the modification procedure. Ključne besede: bacterial nanocellulose, gelatin, nisin, spray-drying, antimicrobial function, bioactivity Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 4
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4. Nanodelci hitozana kot potencialni protimikrobni premazZdenka Peršin Fratnik, Uroš Maver, Metod Kolar, Olivera Šauperl, Lidija Fras Zemljič, Boštjan Vihar, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Namen študije je bil ugotoviti protimikrobno učinkovitost hitozanskih nanodelcev v primerjavi s hitozansko raztopino in sled temu njihovo učinkovito rabo na medicinskih tekstilnih materialih. Ključne besede: chitosan, nanoparticles, antimicrobial activity, coatings, medical textile materials Objavljeno v DKUM: 07.01.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 23
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5. Reduced susceptibility and increased resistance of bacteria against disinfectants : a systematic reviewUrška Rozman, Marko Pušnik, Sergej Kmetec, Darja Duh, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2021, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Disinfectants are used to reduce the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms to a safe level and help to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. However, bacteria have a tremendous ability to respond to chemical stress caused by biocides, where overuse and improper use of disinfectants can be reflected in a reduced susceptibility of microorganisms. This review aims to describe whether mutations and thus decreased susceptibility to disinfectants occur in bacteria during disinfectant exposure. A systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted with the databases PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science. For the final analysis, 28 sources that remained of interest were included. Articles describing reduced susceptibility or the resistance of bacteria against seven different disinfectants were identified. The important deviation of the minimum inhibitory concentration was observed in multiple studies for disinfectants based on triclosan and chlorhexidine. A reduced susceptibility to disinfectants and potentially related problems with antibiotic resistance in clinically important bacterial strains are increasing. Since the use of disinfectants in the community is rising, it is clear that reasonable use of available and effective disinfectants is needed. It is necessary to develop and adopt strategies to control disinfectant resistance. Ključne besede: antimicrobial resistance, susceptibility, disinfectants, bacteria Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.12.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 7
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6. Antimicrobial activity of amino-modified cellulose nanofibrils decorated with silver nanoparticlesVesna Lazić, Jovan Nedeljković, Vanja Kokol, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) conjugated with amino-functionalized cellulose nanofibrils (NH2−CNFs) were in situ-prepared by reducing silver ions with free amino groups from NH2−CNFs. The spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements confirmed the presence of non-agglomerated nanometer-in-size Ag NPs within micrometer-large NH2−CNFs of high (20 wt.-%) content. Although the consumption of amino groups during the formation of Ag NPs lowers the ζ-potential and surface charge of prepared inorganic–organic hybrids (from +31.3 to +19.9 mV and from 2.4 to 1.0 mmol/g at pH 7, respectively), their values are sufficiently positive to ensure electrostatic interaction with negatively charged cell walls of pathogens in acidic and slightly (up to pH ~8.5) alkaline solutions. The antimicrobial activity of hybrid microparticles against various pathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans) is comparable with pristine NH2−CNFs. However, a long-timescale use of hybrids ensures the slow and controlled release of Ag+ ions to surrounding media (less than 1.0 wt.-% for one month). Ključne besede: amino-modified cellulose nanofibrils, silver nanoparticles, hybrid microparticles, zeta-potential, antimicrobial activity Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.12.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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7. Synthesis of betaine, choline and carnitine containing polymers for dermal wound healingLucija Jurko, 2024, doktorska disertacija Opis: In this study, we explored the development of cationized 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and succinylated polyallylamine (PAA) in conjunction with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for potential applications as antimicrobial wound dressings. Quaternary ammonium compounds are known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, but their non-selectivity can lead to high cytotoxicity. To improve the biocompatibility of the cationic materials investigates two distinct approaches. The first approach involves reducing the cationic nature of protonated PAA at a pH below 8.3 through amidation reaction with succinic anhydride. Gradual reduction of the cationic charge is achieved by varying the molar ratios of succinic anhydride during the reaction process. Notably, this reaction can be carried out in an aqueous solution, eliminating potential issues associated with solvent removal. The second part of this thesis focuses on introducing cationic charge by covalently binding naturally occurring quaternary ammonium compounds, such as betaine hydrochloride (BET HCl), choline chloride (ChCl), and carnitine hydrochloride (carnitine). Using 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), we quaternized HEC in anhydrous DMSO, with a detailed investigation of the reaction mechanism by isolating and characterizing intermediate products. This same procedure was applied to form a cationic dimer between BET HCl and ChCl. The chemical structures of the resulting materials were characterized using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The quantification of cationic and total charge was determined through polyelectrolyte and potentiometric titration, respectively. While succinylated PAA exhibited the anticipated biological properties associated with the reduction of cationic characteristics, the same behaviour was not observed for quaternized materials. High cytotoxicity and low antimicrobial properties in the derivatized HEC may be attributed to inadequate purification and the sensitivity of fibroblasts. We produced electrospun non-woven mats incorporating PVA and these derived materials using a single-needle electrospinning machine. The average diameter of the fibres was determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Despite the cytotoxicity and the absence of significant antimicrobial properties in these materials, they exhibit potential as effective cationic flocculants for wastewater treatment. Further investigations are pending to address purification issues and make slight adjustments to the procedure to potentially scale up production. These materials still hold promise for applications in both biomedical and environmental chemistry. Ključne besede: cellulose, quaternary ammonium compounds, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, electrospinning Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.07.2024; Ogledov: 127; Prenosov: 43
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8. Antibacterial effect of topically administered tranexamic acid in large joint arthroplastyUrban Slokar, Simon Kovač, Andrej Cör, Katja Šuster, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine and is commonly used as an antifibrinolytic agent in large joint surgery, such as knee arthroplasty, to minimize blood loss and its associated complications. Some studies have suggested that perioperative intravenous TXA application lowers the incidence of postoperative infections after hip and knee arthroplasty. While its effects on bacteria are not its primary purpose, more research is needed further to elucidate the extent of TXA’s impact on bacterial inhibition and its clinical relevance. In order to determine possible inhibitory effects, 22 clinically relevant bacterial strains were exposed to different TXA concentrations. Two different assays were performed: a microdilution assay with traditional endpoint measurements and a kinetic growth assay for a time-dependent susceptibility assessment. With the microdilution technique, a growth inhibitory effect became evident at higher TXA concentrations (50 and 100 mg/mL) on eight tested bacterial strains, of which four demonstrated absence of growth at 100 mg/mL, suggesting minimal inhibitory concentration. However, the kinetic growth assay revealed more specific TXA-induced dynamic changes in the bacterial growth of all tested bacterial strains. This study showed that TXA affects the growth dynamics of bacteria by altering their lag phase duration, exponential growth rate, and population density and may contribute to the prevention of implant-associated infections. Ključne besede: tranexamic acid, bacterial growth, antimicrobial effect, topical administration, arthroplasty Objavljeno v DKUM: 19.04.2024; Ogledov: 155; Prenosov: 9
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10. Bioactive functional nanolayers of chitosan-lysine surfactant with single- and mixed-protein-repellent and antibiofilm properties for medical implantsUrban Ajdnik, Lidija Fras Zemljič, Olivija Plohl, Lourdes Pérez, Janja Trček, Matej Bračič, Tamilselvan Mohan, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Medical implant-associated infections resulting from biofilm formation triggered by unspecific protein adsorption arethe prevailing cause of implant failure. However, implant surfaces rendered with multifunctional bioactive nanocoatings offer apromising alternative to prevent the initial attachment of bacteria and effectively interrupt biofilm formation. The need to researchand develop novel and stable bioactive nanocoatings for medical implants and a comprehensive understanding of their properties incontact with the complex biological environment are crucial. In this study, we developed an aqueous stable and crosslinker-freepolyelectrolyte−surfactant complex (PESC) composed of a renewable cationic polysaccharide, chitosan, a lysine-based anionicsurfactant (77KS), and an amphoteric antibiotic, amoxicillin, which is widely used to treat a number of infections caused by bacteria.We successfully introduced the PESC as bioactive functional nanolayers on the“model”and“real”polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)surfaces under dynamic and ambient conditions. Besides their high stability and improved wettability, these uniformly depositednanolayers (thickness: 44−61 nm) with mixed charges exhibited strong repulsion toward three model blood proteins (serumalbumin,fibrinogen, andγ-globulin) and their competitive interactions in the mixture in real-time, as demonstrated using a quartzcrystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). The functional nanolayers with a maximum negative zeta potential (ζ:−19 to−30mV at pH 7.4), water content (1628−1810 ng cm−2), and hydration (low viscosity and elastic shear modulus) correlated with themass, conformation, and interaction nature of proteins. In vitro antimicrobial activity testing under dynamic conditions showed thatthe charged nanolayers actively inhibited the growth of both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcusaureus) bacteria compared to unmodified PDMS. Given the ease of fabrication of multifunctional and charged biobased coatingswith simultaneous protein-repellent and antimicrobial activities, the limitations of individual approaches could be overcome leadingto a better and advanced design of various medical devices (e.g., catheters, prosthetics, and stents). Ključne besede: silicone implants, protein-repellent, antimicrobial, chitosan, lysine, bioactive coatings, adsorption, QCM-D Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.04.2024; Ogledov: 266; Prenosov: 17
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