Phytochemical-Based Nanocomposites for the Treatment of Bacterial Biofilms

Abstract

Biofilm infections are responsible for at least 65% of human bacterial infections. These biofilms are refractory to conventional antibiotics, leading to chronic infections and nonhealing wounds. Plant-derived antibiotics (phytochemicals) are promising alternative antimicrobial treatments featuring antimicrobial properties. However, their poor solubility in aqueous media limits their application in treating biofilm infections. Phytochemicals were incorporated into cross-linked polymer nanocomposite "sponges" for the treatment of bacterial biofilms. The results indicated encapsulating low log P phytochemicals effectively eliminated biofilms while demonstrating low cytotoxicity against mammalian fibroblast cells.