Issue 29, 2017

Astaxanthin-based polymers as new antimicrobial compounds

Abstract

A library of novel high molecular weight polymers based on the natural carotenoid astaxanthin (ATX) has been successfully synthesized. ATX is a powerful antioxidant, known for its various therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. It is a xanthophyll with a symmetric chemical structure bearing two hydroxyl groups. Thus, its copolymerization with various diacids resulted in “polyactive” polyesters with varying chemico–physio–mechanico properties (e.g., storage moduli range: 125–1300 MPa and wetting angles of 40–110°). The potential of pATX as an antimicrobial agent was demonstrated in vitro against clinically relevant bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus MRSA252 and MSSA476; S. epidermidis 1457) showing significant reduction of both bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Lastly, we establish using pATX films in vivo had no adverse effect in direct contact with open wounds, or on the complete physiological process of whole animal wound healing.

Graphical abstract: Astaxanthin-based polymers as new antimicrobial compounds

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Apr 2017
Accepted
26 Jun 2017
First published
27 Jun 2017

Polym. Chem., 2017,8, 4182-4189

Astaxanthin-based polymers as new antimicrobial compounds

S. Weintraub, T. Shpigel, L. G. Harris, R. Schuster, E. C. Lewis and D. Y. Lewitus, Polym. Chem., 2017, 8, 4182 DOI: 10.1039/C7PY00663B

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