Hydrophobic polymeric particles of the plant polyester suberin destroy bacteria by interacting with their membranes.

ABSTRACT: Suberin is a complex plant polyester primarily composed of poly-functional long-chain fatty acids and glycerol, and it is ubiquitously found in specialized plant cell walls. By employing an ionic liquid-based extraction method, isolated suberin retains nearly native levels of its cross-linking component, glycerol (∼5 mg g^-1). These highly esterified polymeric particles exhibit antimicrobial activity. This study aims to further understand the innate antimicrobial properties of suberin particles. Suberin particles were isolated from cork, and their complex polymeric chemistry was comprehensively characterized using a range of analytical methods. Their interaction with model gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli<

SUBMITTER: Correia VG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12813329 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature