In spite of the rapid advances of novel technologies, we are still losing the battle against infectious diseases. Due to the extensive use of antibiotics and antimicrobials, more and more antibiotic resistant bacteria emerge. They pose the most serious threat to human health. To overcome these challenges, various nanoparticle based antibacterial materials have been studied. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising candidates for drug delivery due to their biocompatible and biodegradable properties.  Their unique porous structure and versatile surface functionality allows carrying high payloads of drugs through encapsulation or attachment.  However, in order to entrap or deposit active drugs into the channels of MSNs, the pre-existing surfactants have to be removed first, which usually involves ion exchange, multi-step washings, and finally, the addition and incubation of the active drug at higher concentration. Herein, we report a simple one-pot synthesis of self-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticle using benzalkonium chloride (BAC) as both structure-directing surfactant, and antibacterial agent. BAC is a commonly used amphiphilic antibacterial agent, mainly acting by damaging the pathogen’s membrane. Using BAC as structure-directing agent, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) as silica precursors, NH<sub>2</sub>-functionalized BAC containing MSNs have been synthesized. We have incorporated vancomycin on the surface of the MSNs through amide bond formation between the carboxylic group of vancomycin and the MSNs’ surface NH<sub>2</sub>-groups. Vancomycin is not only an antibacterial agent, but also able to specifically target Gram-positive bacteria, through multiple H-bonding between the heptapeptide backbone of vancomycin and the D-alanyl-D-alanine dipeptide of the bacteria cell wall. We anticipate that this additional targeting function will increase the efficacy of the antibacterial effect. This is also a viable way to selectively recognize and kill bacteria, and at the same time, to limit damage of macrophages.

Facile synthesis of Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)-derived mesoporous silica nanoparticles as antibacterial material

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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