In this work, poly(vinyl)alcohol-borax (PVA-borax) hydrogels containing active ingredients with antimicrobial effects were designed and tested over two biodeteriorated stones of different nature and composition. The polymer network was reinforced with a filler of ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) supporting sodium alginate (SA) chains (LDH@SA) and the active role has been assigned to three ingredients: silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), silver nanoparticles-silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) and thyme essential oil (EO), used either separately or mixed together within the same hydrogel. For better comparison, a final test was performed by preparing hydrogels containing a common antimicrobial agent such as methylisothiazolinone (MIT). The effects of the treatments have been investigated through staining techniques (periodic acid staining PAS, triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride TTC) and colony forming unit assays (CFUs) performed on media specific for bacteria, fungi and algae. The data collected consented to identify the most efficient cleaning systems in the hydrogel prepared with AgNPs and in that with thyme EO, leading the way for a new approach in the field of bioremediation.
Hydrogels: A ‘stepping stone’ towards new cleaning strategies for biodeteriorated surfaces
Boccalon E.
;Nocchetti M.;Pica M.;Romani A.;
2021
Abstract
In this work, poly(vinyl)alcohol-borax (PVA-borax) hydrogels containing active ingredients with antimicrobial effects were designed and tested over two biodeteriorated stones of different nature and composition. The polymer network was reinforced with a filler of ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) supporting sodium alginate (SA) chains (LDH@SA) and the active role has been assigned to three ingredients: silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), silver nanoparticles-silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) and thyme essential oil (EO), used either separately or mixed together within the same hydrogel. For better comparison, a final test was performed by preparing hydrogels containing a common antimicrobial agent such as methylisothiazolinone (MIT). The effects of the treatments have been investigated through staining techniques (periodic acid staining PAS, triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride TTC) and colony forming unit assays (CFUs) performed on media specific for bacteria, fungi and algae. The data collected consented to identify the most efficient cleaning systems in the hydrogel prepared with AgNPs and in that with thyme EO, leading the way for a new approach in the field of bioremediation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
