Polysaccharide-Encapsulated Lauraceae Extract Complex Coating Conferring Antimicrobial Properties to Polypropylene Surfaces

Tuyet-Nhi Do; Po-Hsin Lee; Tsung-Lin Tsai; Ping-Ching Wu

doi:10.1021/acsomega.5c00665

Polysaccharide-Encapsulated Lauraceae Extract Complex Coating Conferring Antimicrobial Properties to Polypropylene Surfaces

ACS Omega. 2025 Jun 3;10(23):24422-24431. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c00665. eCollection 2025 Jun 17.

Authors

Tuyet-Nhi Do¹, Po-Hsin Lee², Tsung-Lin Tsai^{1

3

4}, Ping-Ching Wu^{1

3

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
² Meet Tec. Co., Ltd., Tainan 710, Taiwan.
³ Center of Applied Nanomedicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
⁵ Institute of Oral Medicine and Department of Stomatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
⁶ Medical Device Innovation Center, Taiwan Innovation Center of Medical Devices and Technology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.

Abstract

The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens necessitates innovative approaches for infection control, particularly in medical device applications. Moreover, simultaneously ensuring sustained antimicrobial activity in biomaterials and minimizing potential resistance development remain critical aspects that lack new strategies. This study presents the development and application of an innovative antimicrobial agent, that is, a multifunctional polysaccharide-encapsulated Lauraceae extract complex (PLEC) coating designed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy and compatibility of polypropylene surfaces. The study findings indicate that the PLEC coating has potent antibacterial and antifungal characteristics, preventing a wide range of infections. A comprehensive analysis revealed significant reductions in bacterial colonies, including colonies of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mitis), and various fungal strains. Moreover, cytotoxicity evaluations confirm the nontoxic nature of the coatings, ensuring their safety for medical use. This study demonstrates that multifunctional antimicrobial PLEC coatings offer a significant advancement in infection control strategies, providing an effective solution to the growing problem of AMR. The developed approach can be beneficial to the healthcare industry and society by reducing infection risks and treatment costs, ultimately improving clinical effectiveness and enhancing the efficacy of infection control measures in medical applications.