Arabinogalactan-associated mechanochemical synthesis and antimicrobial activity of iodine-containing nanocomposites: the use of green technology for antimicrobic agents design.

A possibility of mechanochemical preparation of water-soluble nanocomposites of a plant polysaccharide arabinogalactan (AG) and element iodine has been investigated. The physical-chemical properties of iodine-containing AG nanocomposites were studied by transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Aqueous solutions of these nanocomposites were examined using optical spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The ζ-potential values were determined. The antimicrobial action of iodine-containing nanocomposite (13.97 % I) was investigated in relation to Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603) (extended-spectrum β-lactamase), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). Its values of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration varied from 0.5 to 5 mg/ml depending on the microorganism species. The nanocomposite based on AG and iodine was found to exhibit a pronounced antimicrobial effect. The results of the research can be considered as promising for the creation of innovative materials with antibacterial and fungicidal properties for medical and other purposes.