Characterization of Epigallocatechin-Gallate-Grafted Chitosan Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential

Maria Jesús Moreno-Vasquez, Maribel Plascencia-Jatomea*, Saúl Sánchez-Valdes, Judith Celina Tánori-Córdova, Francisco Javier Castillo Yañez, Idania Emedith Quintero-Reyes, Abril Zoraida Graciano-Verdugo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nanoparticles based on chitosan modified with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were synthetized by nanoprecipitation (EGCG-g-chitosan-P). Chitosan was modified by free-radical-induced grafting, which was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Furthermore, the morphology, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were investigated. The grafting degree of EGCG, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of EGCG-g-chitosan-P were evaluated and compared with those of pure EGCG and chitosan nanoparticles (Chitosan-P). FTIR results confirmed the modification of the chitosan with EGCG. The EGCG-g-chitosan-P showed spherical shapes and smoother surfaces than those of Chitosan-P. EGCG content of the grafted chitosan nanoparticles was 330 g/g. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EGCG-g-chitosan-P (15.6 µg/mL) was lower than Chitosan-P (31.2 µg/mL) and EGCG (500 µg/mL) against Pseudomonas fluorescens (p < 0.05). Additionally, EGCG-g-chitosan-P and Chitosan-P presented higher Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibition (100%) than EGCG at the lowest concentration tested. The nanoparticles produced an increase of ROS (p < 0.05) in both bacterial species assayed. Furthermore, EGCG-g-chitosan-P exhibited higher antioxidant activity than that of Chitosan-P (p < 0.05) in 2,20-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. Based on the above results, EGCG-g-chitosan-P shows the potential for food packaging and biomedical applications.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1375
Pages (from-to)1-24
Number of pages24
JournalPolymers
Volume13
Early online date23 Apr 2021
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Apr 2021

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