Singlet oxygen (1O2) induced photodynamic inactivation of bacterials with bioactive Icariin/beta-cyclodextrin/bacterial cellulose

Antibacterial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) is one of the treatments developed in response to AMR during the past decade. Bioactive composites with photodynamic inactivation properties were engineered from bacterial cellulose and Icariin and successfully inclusion-complexed into beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with an abundance of carboxylic, hydroxyl, phenol and alkyne reactive groups. The membranes demonstrated excellent antibacterial photodynamic inactivation capabilities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (E. coli) 8099 with rates >99.9999%. Photodynamic action studies showed that reduced oxygen species (ROS), singlet oxygen (1O2) were produced in the reaction process by the prepared materials to catalyze the inactivation process. ROS is thought to be produced by both Type I and Type II ROS reaction mechanisms, with Type II being the most prevalent. The materials showed decent reusability. The composites proved to be great candidates for a new generation of textiles that can combat bacteria, parasites, fungus, and viruses with systematic drug release (Icariin), significant antioxidant characteristics, and no toxicity on L929 cells. •Antibacterial photodynamic inactivation via inducement of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Singlet Oxygen (1O2).•Icariin inclusion-complexed into beta cyclodextrin and bacterial cellulose (BC) matrix inactivates E. coli and S. aureus bacteria.•The Type II ROS reaction mechanism was predominantly responsible for the inactivation.•The composites demonstrated substantial antioxidant properties, reusability, and many other exciting characteristics.