Anticandidal action of polyurethane foam: a new modifier with functionalized isothiouronium group
Mohamed M. El‐Zahed, Hala A. Kiwaan, Asmaa A. M. Farhat, E.A. Moawed, Mervat El-Sonbati
Abstract
Abstract A novel sorbent of isothiouronium polyurethane foam, PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 , was synthesized from low-cost raw materials (a commercial polyurethane foam). The prepared PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 was characterized with different tools, the infrared spectra and Boehm test demonstrated the presence of several active groups in the material matrices of PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 . The diffraction analysis and images of the scanning electron microscope showed that the surface structure was amorphous, and Cu(II) salt crystals were embedded on its surface. The polyurethane foam, as a modifier, was applied to enhance antimicrobial activity, and its anticandidal action was studied against Candida albicans ATCC 10,231. Agar well-diffusion test showed a significantly biocidal action of PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 . The anticandidal action was dependent on PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 dose, while the microbial inhibition increased with increases in PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 dose and the microbial growth stopped at 26 μg/mL. The PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 -treated yeast was studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM). TEM micrographs showed severe morphological changes in the yeast cells including the disruption of the cell membrane structure and the appearance of large vacuoles as well as separation between cell membranes and cell walls. The results indicated that this green synergy of PUF-SC(NH 2 ) 2 may have a promising potential in antifungal therapy as an effective biomaterial and other biomedical applications. Graphical Abstract