Organo-montmorillonite with biogenic compounds to be applied in antifungal coatings

Abstract

Antimicrobial surfaces are required to obtain more hygienic indoor environments. There are biogenic compounds like terpenoids, from plant essential oils, with potential antimicrobial activity. Besides, modified montmorillonites are promising nanoscale carriers for these compounds. The aim of this research was to prepare antimicrobial coatings with funtionalized montmorillonite hybrid. Three monoterpene compounds from plant essential oils such as citral, citronellol and linalool were assessed to obtain an eco-friendly and cheap antifungal hybrid filler for coatings. A natural surfactant such as soybean lecithin was used as an organic modifier of the clay mineral. The synthetized hybrids were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Zeta potential (ZP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The modified montmorillonite with soybean lecithin and citronellol by 40% wt. showed higher antifungal activity. This bioactive hybrid achieved to impart its functionality into a waterborne paint formulated with 5% wt. in bioassays against three frequent and handful moulds Chaetomium globosum (KU936228), Alternaria alternata (KU936229) and Aspergillus fumigatus (KU936230).