Protecting bactofencin A to enable its antimicrobial activity using mesoporous matrices.

There is huge global concern surrounding the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and this is resulting in an inability to treat infectious diseases. This is due to a lack of new antimicrobials coming to the market and irresponsible use of traditional antibiotics. Bactofencin A, a novel antimicrobial peptide which shows potential as an antibiotic, is susceptible to enzyme degradation.

Mesoporous matrices for the delivery of the broad spectrum bacteriocin, nisin A.

Mesoporous matrices of different pore size and chemical composition were explored as potential delivery matrices for the broad spectrum bacteriocin, nisin A. The adsorption of nisin A onto two mesoporous silicates (MPS - SBA-15, MCM-41) and two periodic mesoporous organosilanes (PMO - MSE, PMO-PA) was examined. It was found that hydrophobic interactions dominated in the adsorption of this peptide to the matrices, lending the highest adsorption to MCM-41 with a small pore size of 2.

Co-reductive fabrication of carbon nanodots with high quantum yield for bioimaging of bacteria.

A simple and straightforward synthetic approach for carbon nanodots (C-dots) is proposed. The strategy is based on a one-step hydrothermal chemical reduction with thiourea and urea, leading to high quantum yield C-dots. The obtained C-dots are well-dispersed with a uniform size and a graphite-like structure.