Functional gelatin-carbon nanotubes nanohybrids with enhanced antibacterial activity

Hybrid materials with enhanced antibacterial activity were prepared by incorporation of carbon nanotubes within gelatin-fluoroquinolones bioconjugates. Gelatin bioconjugates were characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, and calorimetric analyses, nanohybridsby morphological analyses. Biocompatibility was evaluated on human mesenchymal stem cells, and antibacterial performance againstKlebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Minimun inhibitory concentrations from 0.025 to 0.05 mg mL1 and from 0.025 to0.10 mg mL1, and MBC from 0.025 to 0.10 mg mL1 and from 0.05 to 0.20 mg mL1 were detected for Escherichia coli and Klebsiellapneumoniae, respectively, showing that nanotubes increase antimicrobial activity comparing to both free and gelatin-conjugated drugs.