title: Antibacterial and non-cytotoxic effect of nanocomposites based in polyethylene and copper nanoparticles.
abstract: In this study, an antibacterial, but not cytotoxic nanomaterial based on polyethylene and copper nanoparticles was prepared by in situ polymerization. PE-CuNps nanocomposites against Escherichia coli, completely suppressed the number of live bacteria after 12 h incubation compared to neat PE. TEM images showed that nanocomposites damage the plasma membrane of the bacteria, revealing a bacteriolytic effect. Toxic effects of copper nanoparticles on viability of neuroblastoma line cell also was evaluated, revealing a non cytotoxic effect for the doses used, showing that this nanocomposite is a ideal material for medical devices.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química de los Materiales, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. L. B. O`Higgins 3363, Casilla 40, Correo 33, Santiago, Chile, laura.tamayo@usach.cl.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tamayo
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zapata
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Rabagliati
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Azócar
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Páez
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053761:Nanocomposites; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003300:Copper; D020959:Polyethylene