Bioplastic produced by bacteria – new type of wound dressing
Variety of microbes under stress conditions produce… high-value plastic. Such a material, which is not artificial at all, easily decomposes and additionally displays good biocompatibility properties. We can use them to produce dressings or implant biomaterials.
“I’m studying bioplastics produced by bacteria” – says Dr. Maciej Guzik, a microbiologists from the Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow.
He explains that we already know over 150 species of bacteria that produce polymer similar to plastic under stress. “Just as bears put on fat for the winter, these bacteria, when difficult times come accumulate bioplastic, which serves them as their energy reserves”, he says.
BACTERIAL PEARLS
„When we look at such a bacterium under microscope, we see pearls inside it. This is a bioplastic. Such granules may account for even 90 % mass of bacteria”, says the microbiologist.
His team focuses on examining elastic biopolymer, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in particular. One of the PHA subgroups has properties similar to polyethylene, which is used to produce, for example, foil wraps or fishing lines.
BIODEGRADABILITY
Bacterial plastics are biodegradable. In the natural environment, they quickly break down. "For example, if our bioplastic goes to compost, where there is enough moisture and heat, it will decompose back into carbon dioxide and water after three months" - describes the microbiologist.
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
„Another super feature of these bacterial polymers is their biocompatibility”, adds Dr. Guzik. He explains that the human body is able to fragment these polymers into smaller pieces that are completely harmless to us.
The polymer molecule can be compared to a long chain. It turns out that in the case of bioplastics (PHA) fatty acids function as chain links. The same fatty acids that are part of our food and form fats. When the body comes into contact with such a biopolymer it gradually cuts off its chain links and converts them into energy.
WOUND DRESSING
Dr. Guzik wants to use biopolymers for medical applications. This material will be perfect as wound dressing that would accelerate healing process, especially when it comes to extensive wound treatment.
The polymeric mesh - or foam - would only make the underside of the dressing adhering to the wound. This part of the dressing would not have to be replaced. “Our biopolymer would stay in the wound and nourish all cells around, helping the skin to heal faster. We are currently creating such a dressing,” explains the microbiologist and adds that human body would eventually get rid of the remains of the dressing.
The Polish dressing could also perform additional functions. For example, it could release antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs gradually into the wounds to protect them against additional infections and inflammations.
Dr. Guzik emphasizes that his team would also like to produce custom-made dressings. The dressing would therefore contain medications selected specifically for a particular patient. "If we have a well-prepared process, it would take us probably one day to produce such a unique dressing" - assumes the scientist.
BONE IMPLANTS
The team from Cracow is also working on the application of bioplastics in bone implants. “We coat ceramic implants with a layer of our bioplastic, then we apply isolated patient’s bone cells to this layer. This implant will be inserted into the patient’s body," says the scientist. He explains that thanks to this the body has a chance to get used to the implant, and the risk of implant failure decreases.
Dr. Guzik is conducting research on the application of bioplastics in medicine under the LEADER grant from the National Centre for Research and Development.
Author: Ludwika Tomala, PAP Nauka w Polsce
