Month: July 2023

As part of work package 2 activities, RELIANCE proposes the development of mesoporous inorganic nanoparticles as potential nanocontainers of bioactives, due to their high stability, biocompatibility, large specific surface area, tunable pore diameter, and easy surface functionalization. They can be obtained by sol-gel technology which offers the possibility to scale up the synthesis process due to its cost effectiveness since it does not require expensive equipment and can be applied at low processing temperatures. Additionally, the mesoporous structure of the particle allows for the possibility of adding other elements during the same manufacturing process, such as copper, which can be easily incorporated thus enabling the contact killing action of the mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The contact killing action allowed by Cu-SMIN will be combined synergistically with non-toxic biobased actives such as essential oils and antimicrobial peptides.

These particles, which have dimensions in the nanometer range, exhibit unique antimicrobial properties and once their synthesis is finalized, they can be applied in a wide range of fields, and can also be incorporated in coatings to prevent the proliferation of harmful microorganism in contact surfaces and high traffic areas.

During the first year of the project, in addition to having optimized the synthesis procedures for obtaining smart-release nanoparticles made of silica, at lab scale, we are working on the incorporation of copper and its functionalization. We are excited with these promising first results which will help our continuing fight with infections caused by bacteria, virus and fungi in the future.

See below an image of our nanoparticles:

Microbial colonization of surfaces burdens today’s societies by causing significant cost to human lives and the economy. Its prevention remains a global challenge for humanity and we are constantly seeking ways to reduce the transmission of microorganisms. A solution RELIANCE project works on is smart response self-disinfectant antimicrobial surfaces achieved through the design and development of a new range of antimicrobial nanocoating with a contact-killing action. The nanocoating consists of copper-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles modified with Antimicrobial Compounds based on either essential oils or amino peptides isolated from protein-containing waste streams.

Our Swiss partner Haute école d’ingénierie et d’architecture Fribourg (HEIA-FR) is responsible for identifying and isolating Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP) from chicken feathers. Millions of tons of feathers are generated annually as byproducts from the poultry industry causing serious environmental issues and impacting human health safety. Even though feathers are of interest due to their composition of 90% wt. of Keratin protein, they are still underexploited because of their high stability and resistance to common proteolysis protocols.

Therefore, within this project, the Institute of Chemical Technology at HEIA-FR aims to develop effective, profitable, and sustainable processes to use this resource and transform waste feathers into AMPs. Given the difficulty and the challenges behind this mission, three approaches are currently being investigated for the isolation of bioactive peptides with optimal bioactive properties. A screening of the best hydrolysis conditions of each approach is being evaluated and an initial bioactive peptide fraction has been isolated and successfully tested against E. Coli and S. Aureus. The antimicrobial assays are assessed by our partner UNITOV.

HEIA-FR will further develop and work out the scale-up of AMP production. Moreover, the Institute of Chemical Technology will cooperate with the Plastics Innovation Competence Center (PICC) on the anchoring of the produced AMPs to the surface of Cu-dopped mesoporous silica nanoparticles developed by TEKNIKER and further coating while utilizing the cold atmospheric plasma technology to produce smart antimicrobial coated surfaces for application in the automobile industry.