Mastering technology for new hybrid material systems applied in veterinary disease treatment

15/11/2024

To seek effective solutions for treating livestock diseases, Vietnamese and Belarusian scientists have successfully developed various new hybrid material systems based on metal nanomaterials (Ag, Cu) combined with chitosan and octenidine. These materials demonstrate high antibacterial capabilities and hold promising applications for treating bacterial diseases such as mastitis in cattle. This is the result of the project “Research on Hybrid Material Systems with Antibacterial Properties Based on Metal Nanomaterials, Chitosan and Octenidine, and Evaluation of Their Application in Veterinary Medicine to Prevent Mastitis” (code: QTBY02.02/22-23), led by Dr. Tran Quang Vinh and his team from the Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktoryia Kulikouskaya’s research group from the Institute of New Materials Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Mastitis is a common and serious disease in cattle, affecting both livestock health and the economic viability of the dairy industry. In addition to traditional antibiotics, research into antibacterial nanomaterials has gained traction. Materials such as silver nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, and propolis nanoparticles have proven effective against disease-causing bacteria. Combining Ag and Cu nanoparticles with chitosan and octenidine enhances treatment efficacy and speeds up recovery.

In this study, scientists synthesized copper nanoparticles with chitosan (Cu/Cts) using a chemical reduction method with NaBH4 and leaf extract from Cleistocalyx operculatus leaves as reducing agents. Using the leaf extract as a reductant yielded selective reduction efficiency. The Cu nanoparticles were monophase metallic with sizes between 20-40 nm. When the stronger reductant NaBH4 was used, the Cu nanoparticles were smaller, around 10-30 nm, mostly spherical. After combining with octenidine, the material retained its shape and structure but had a slight size increase. Testing showed the Cu/Cts material demonstrated superior antibacterial effects against mastitis-causing bacteria in dairy cattle. Particularly, the environmentally friendly, low-toxicity leaf extract resulted in a broader bacterial inhibition zone than samples reduced with NaBH4. Combining octenidine with Cu/Cts significantly improved the material's antibacterial performance.

Testing of microbial inhibition

Meanwhile, the hybrid silver nanoparticle material combined with chitosan (Ag/Cts) and octenidine (Ag/Cts/Otd) was synthesized at a 5% octenidine concentration. The silver nanoparticles were spherical, 10-14 nm in size, and uniformly distributed on the chitosan/octenidine surface. Activity tests also demonstrated effective inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, the primary cause of mastitis in cattle.

Dr. Tran Quang Vinh

With these promising results, these hybrid materials have great potential for developing livestock treatment products, which would boost farming efficiency. Dr. Tran Quang Vinh noted that combining Cu-Cts and Ag-Cts with octenidine is a new research direction; the products are currently at the in-vitro research stage. To bring these products to market, at least 4-5 years are required to refine the technology and conduct trials. The team will continue to collaborate with Belarusian scientists to complete the products and propose pilot production projects aimed at commercialization. These hybrid material systems, with their high application potential, promise to become effective solutions for livestock health in the future.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version

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