Antibacterial Properties of Chitosan Nanoparticles

The Objective : This study sought to identify the potential of a novel biocide system consisting of chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated by the peptides found in green coconut water (GCW).

Methods/Materials

Through ionotropic gelation, chitosan nanoparticles were formed and mixed with filtered green coconut water (GCW) to promote encapsulation.

The physiochemical properties of the biocides were analyzed through zeta potential and particle sizing analyses.

A bacterial bioassay was conducted to determine the antibacterial properties of the combined biocides against Pseudomonas putida, a surrogate environmental bacteria strain.

Results

The biocide system was shown to be less effective against P. putida when compared to the antibacterial activity of chitosan nanoparticles, but more bactericidal in comparison to the GCW peptides.

Conclusions/Discussion

Chitosan nanoparticles were re-asserted as efficient dose-dependent biocides while the absence of antimicrobial activity from the GCW peptides suggested the need for purification and isolation of the peptides.

Thus, the novel composite of the GCW peptides and the chitosan nanoparticles did not significantly enhance the antibacterial properties of the individual bactericides as hypothesized.

This project explored the potential of a biodegradable and easily implemented novel antibacterial agent created through the combination of peptides derived from green coconut water and chitosan nanoparticles.

Science Fair Project done By Monica L. Chen

 

 

<<Back To Topics Page...................................................................................>>Next Topic

Related Projects : Caffeine: An "Astro-pharmaceutical" Defense for DNA ,Antibacterial Properties of Chitosan Nanoparticles , Antioxidant Effect of Vitamin E on Plant and Animal Tissues , Caffeine: Friend or Foe , Can We Use a Biological Agent to Control a Plant Disease , Characterizing the Role of Arachidonic Acid-Derived Eicosanoids in Breast Cancer , Chondrocyte Response to Mechanical Injury , Comparing the Antioxidant Effects of Vitamins , Does Caffeine Affect the Running Speed , Does the pH Level of a Liquid Affect the Solubility of Aleve