Metal coordinating-induced self-assembly of cyclic lipopeptides into high-performance antimicrobial supramolecules

This study designed a green hydrothermally-chelating approach to generate robust antimicrobial complexes via metal-coordinated supramolecular self-assembly of cyclic lipopeptides (CLs). The metal ion (Ca2+ and Zn2+)-coordinated CL (Ca/CL or Zn/CL complex; 1 mg/mL) demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against fungi (A. niger) and bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus) respectively, and in particular, completely suppressed the microbial resistance. Further physicochemical and spectal analysis showed that this coordination approach led to CL with enhanced hydrophobic and intermolecular electrostatic interactions, forming beta-sheet-rich secondary structures allowing the complexes easily contact with and destroy the membrane of microorganisms. Practical application experiments validated that the Ca/CL and Zn/CL complexes strongly avoided table grape and fresh tomato from the contamination of pathogen. The findings of this study laid foundation for the utilization of metal ions to improve the biological activity of natural antimicrobial peptides.

Automated summary

This study developed a green hydrothermally-chelating approach to generate robust antimicrobial complexes via metal-coordinated supramolecular self-assembly of cyclic lipopeptides (CLs). The Ca/CL and Zn/CL complexes showed potent antibacterial activity against fungi (A. niger) and bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus), and effectively prevented microbial resistance. This coordination approach led to CL with enhanced hydrophobic and intermolecular electrostatic interactions, forming secondary structures that allowed the complexes to easily interact with and destroy the membrane of microorganisms.