Antibiotic evaluation of the nanocomposites IONs-MWCNTs-Pc and IONs-GO-Pc encapsulated in the biocompatible hydrogel poly(VCL-co-PEGDA) based on photodynamic effect

Antibiotic evaluation of two novel nanocomposites. The rise of drug-resistant bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , presents a significant healthcare challenge. This study focuses on the development of two novel nanocomposites IONs-MWCNTs-Pc and IONs-GO-Pc encapsulated within a biocompatible poly(VCL-co-PEGDA) hydrogel. These composites are designed for use in photodynamic therapy and evaluated for their antimicrobial efficacy against resistant pathogens. The synthesized nanocomposites, when irradiated with red light at 630 nm, showed significant antimicrobial activity, resulting in a marked reduction in the viability of S. aureus ATCC 27543, S. aureus ATCC 33591, and E. coli ATCC 971182. Photodynamic studies demonstrated that the IONs-GO-Pc nanocomposite was more efficient in generating singlet oxygen compared to IONs-MWCNTs-Pc, which correlated with its superior antimicrobial performance. Structural and chemical characterization confirmed the successful incorporation of nanomaterials and photosensitizers, enhancing the photodynamic effect. The study demonstrates that both IONs-MWCNTs-Pc and IONs-GO-Pc nanocomposites show promise as alternative treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with the GO-based composite showing higher photodynamic therapy efficacy. These findings suggest that such nanocomposites could play a pivotal role in advancing antimicrobial strategies against resistant pathogens. How to cite: Cuadrado C, Mantilla A, Hidalgo L, et al. Antibiotic evaluation of the nanocomposites IONs-MWCNTs-Pc and IONs-GO-Pc encapsulated in the biocompatible hydrogel poly(VCL-co-PEGDA) based on photodynamic effect. Electron J Biotechnol 2025;73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2024.08.002 .