DEVELOPMENT OF SINTHETIC TEXTILE MATERIALS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES BY USING BIOGENIC SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES

Starting date
February 15, 2018
Duration (months)
24
Departments
Biotechnology
Managers or local contacts
Lampis Silvia

This Project aims to develop a new sinthetic textile with antibacterial properties through the exploitation of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), synthesized by the bacterial strain Stenotrophomonas maltophilia SeITE02. In the last decades, research and industrial efforts have been devoted to the development of new products to enhance the quality of human life. In particular, with a rising awareness in personal health and hygiene, the textiles with antimicrobial properties are becoming an appealing field for both the manufacturers and researchers. Various antibacterial finishing and disinfection techniques are being developed: from hospital environment to everyday household and clothing. Nowadays the amendment of Ag and Zn nanoparticles represents the most promising strategy to obtain fibers and textiles with high antimicrobial properties. Recently studies carried out in our laboratory evidenced as biogenic SeNPs synthesized by S. maltophilia SeITE02 are no toxic and more effective as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents than chemically synthesized SeNPs and other metals NPs such as ZnNPs o AgNPs. Therefore, the aim of this Project is to investigate different protocols in order to develop a method for coating commercial fabrics with biogenic SeNPs. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the obtained fabric will be determined against different reference bacterial strains. The specific aims of the project will be:
(i) the evaluation of the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm potential of biogenic SeNPs in presence of solvents frequently used in the textile industries;
(ii) the identification of the best protocol to incorporate biogenic SeNPs on textile;
(iii) the analysis of the treated textile antimicrobial properties against both planktonic and biofilm population of different reference strains;
(iv) the evaluation of the durability of the treated textile and their antimicrobial potential after repeated laundering.

Sponsors:

Funds: assigned and managed by the department

Project participants

Silvia Lampis
Associate Professor
Research areas involved in the project
Bioinformatica e informatica medica
Computer forensics

Activities

Research facilities

Share