MAPLE Antimicrobial Coatings Based on Low-Cost Sustainable Natural Resources

The quasi majority of exiting deposition methods for implants functionalization for combating implants infections are based on antibiotics. The antimicrobial action of these substances rapidly decreases in time and continuously supply is therefore mandatory. Moreover, viruses, bacteria and fungi adapt in time to the new drugs by developing resistance and forming biofilms. The elaboration of new anti-infective strategy is therefore mandatory with the continuous changes of new generation of viruses, bacteria or fungi. A basically new approach is proposed with this project via MAPLE extension to fabricate antimicrobial coatings for prevention/eradication of inherent surface infections followed by local, sustained of antimicrobial natural agents delivery. This project aims for obtaining functionalized implants covered with innovative biomimetic apatite-lignin-aloe vera (BmAp/Lig/AV) coatings fabricated by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE). The use of NATURAL AND RENEWABLE PRODUCTS (Lignin and Aloe Vera plant extract) for infections prevention is a green alternative for synthetic currently-used antibiotics, since the concerning phenomenon of primary and secondary resistance to conventional drugs became an alarming life-threatening circumstance. The use of these natural-derived products involves reduced costs and represents an attractive solution for the fabrication of biodegradable thin films with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential