Aqueous dispersion of polymer coated boron nitride nanotubes and their antibacterial and cytotoxicity studies

The present study focuses on the aqueous dispersion of BNNTs via noncovalent functionalization with four surfactants including pluronic (P123), polyethyleneimine (PEI), pluronic (F127) and ammonium oleate (A.O). The morphology of the modified BNNTs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Pristine BNNTs and surfactant coated BNNTs were examined to elucidate their antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity levels in different cells (Vero, Chang liver, MCF7 and A549) by an in vitro method. The quantitative antibacterial efficacy was evaluated by measuring the optical density growth of a bacterial culture. The optical density growth curves and TEM results indicate that PEI coated BNNTs exhibit strong bacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxicity levels were intensively studied by the MTT method and the results reveal the biocompatible nature of F127 coated BNNTs (F-BNNTs) in different cells. The chemotherapeutic drugs, tamoxifen and paclitaxel blended F-BNNTs were tested in MCF7 and A549 cells. DNA fragmentation and fluorescence images indicate the apoptotic pathway of cell death in cancer cells. The results of this investigation explore the cytocompatability of F-BNNTs and it can be designed as a nanovector for targeted drug delivery.