Polymeric membranes with antiseptic capacity for food and textile aplicattion

New and innovative aspects

The polymeric material described in the invention interacts with bacteria and viruses, and in particular altering and pathogenic bacteria of food or environmental origin and enteric or other food-borne viruses, as well as viruses of respiratory transmission. Due to this, there is an inhibition of the spread of these microorganisms, which allows the use of these materials in the preparation or manufacture of biocidal materials intended for use as bactericidal absorbents in food packaging, and in textile fiber coatings for manufacturing of masks.

Additionally, bactericidal absorbents can also be dissolved in an organic solvent so that they do not constitute plastic waste, and can be managed as liquid waste.

Furthermore, the copolymers of the present invention are totally reusable, so that, if said copolymer is washed with water and ethanol, once used as bactericidal absorbents in food packaging, or in textile fiber coatings or biosanitary material, it becomes totally operational.

Main advantages of its use

• Inhibition of the spread of microorganisms.
• Copolymers are fully reusable.
• Copolymers can be dissolved in an organic solvent so that they do not constitute a plastic waste, and can be managed as liquid waste.
• There is no migration or release of substances from the material

Specifications

The method of inhibiting the growth and propagation of bacteria and viruses, as well as the inhibition of the formation of bacterial biofilms, described in the patent is therefore based on the ability of said copolymers to interact with bacteria and viruses. The monomer (I), present in the developed copolymers, is a group derived from vanillin linked to the polymer chain by a diazo bond.

Applications

The potential applications are:

• Bactericidal absorbents in food packaging.
• Coatings of textile fibers or biosanitary material for the manufacture of masks with biocidal capacity or drainage tubes or probes

Intellectual property status

Protected by patent P202130734

Current development status

Laboratory tested procedure.

Desired business relationship

Commercial Agreement, License Agreement, Technical Cooperation: further development; Technical Cooperation: testing new applications; Technical Cooperation: adaptation to specific needs.