METHOD FOR PREVENTING OR TREATING MICROBIAL GROWTH ON A MANUFACTURED PRODUCT

Abstract

The invention provides a method for preventing or treating microbial growth on a manufactured material or product. A composition comprising a cyclic decapeptide which is a tyrocidine, trypocidine, phenycidine or gramicidin S having an amino acid sequence of cyclo(valine-X.sub.1-leucine-D-phenylalanine-proline-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6) (SEQ ID NO: 1) is applied to the product and the cyclic decapeptides are adsorbed onto the product. Suitable products include medical devices (e.g. a catheter), wound dressings, food packaging, containers, wrappings, surfaces or devices used in the processing, transport or storage of food, filters, composites, paper, wrapping materials, walls, work surfaces, floors, pipes or the like. The composition could be used to disinfect or sterilise a material, surface or product or to inhibit formation of biofilms and/or biofouling on the surface of the product to which it is applied.

Claims

1. A method for preventing or treating microbial growth on a manufactured product, the method comprising the step of applying to a surface of the product a composition comprising as active agent a cyclic decapeptide which is a tyrocidine, trypocidine, phenycidine or gramicidin S, or a derivative or analogue thereof, the cyclic decapeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of cyclo(Val-X.sub.1-Leu-D-Phe-Pro-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6) (SEQ ID NO: 1), where X.sub.1 is Orn or Lys; X.sub.2 is Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Trp or Tyr; X.sub.3 is the D-isomer of Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Trp, Tyr, Orn or Lys; X.sub.4 is Asn, Gln or Leu; X.sub.5 is Gln, the D-isomer of Val, Leu or Ile; and X.sub.6 is Tyr, Phe, Trp, Pro or Hyp.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic decapeptide is a tyrocidine with the sequence cyclo(Val-X.sub.1-Leu-D-Phe-Pro-X.sub.7-X.sub.8-Asn-Gln-X.sub.9) (SEQ ID NO: 2) or an analogue or derivative thereof, where: X.sub.1 is Orn or Lys; X.sub.7 is Trp or Phe; X.sub.8 is D-Trp or D-Phe; and X.sub.9 is Tyr, Trp or Phe.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic decapeptide is gramicidin S or a derivative or analogue thereof, with the amino acid sequence of cyclo(Val-X.sub.1-Leu-D-Phe-Pro-Val-X.sub.1-Leu-D-Phe-Pro) (SEQ ID NO: 3).

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic decapeptide has an amino acid sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOS: 6-177.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composition contains a mixture of any two or more different cyclic decapeptides with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cyclic decapeptides adsorb to the product.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the product is made from a polymer.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the polymer is a natural polymer.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the natural polymer is selected from the group consisting of a sugar polymer, leather, latex, glass, rubber and silk.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the sugar polymer is selected from the group consisting of paper or a paper product, chitin, starch and cotton.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the polymer is a synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer.

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the product is made from a combination of natural, synthetic and/or semi-synthetic polymers.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a medical device or part thereof, a wound dressing or part thereof, food packaging, a container, wrapping, a surface or device used in the processing, transport or storage of food, a filter, a composite, paper and wrapping material.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the microbial growth to be prevented or treated is fungal and/or bacterial growth.

15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the composition is applied to the manufactured product in a liquid form, gel or mist or during preparation of the product so that the cyclic decapeptides can adsorb onto or into the surface of the product or onto or into the polymers from which the product is made.

16. A manufactured product onto which an antimicrobial composition has been applied according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1: UPLC-ESMS profile of a tyrocidine (Trc) extract desorbed from Trc treated cellulose (CL) filters. The identity of the peptides is indicated (A). Comparison of the contribution of the different peptides in the Trc mixture desorbed from the CL filter compared to peptides in the Trc extract used for the CL filter treatment. Peptide contribution denoted with * decreased and those with # increased contribution compared to the treatment extract (B).

[0040] FIG. 2: Scanning electron microscopy images obtained of (A) a cellulose filter, 1 000 magnification, (B) a cellulose Trc treated filter, 1 000 magnification, (C) a Trc treated cellulose filter plus M. luteus, 1 000 magnification, and (D) a Trc treated cellulose filter plus erythrocytes, 1 000 magnification.

[0041] FIG. 3: Comparison of retained antimicrobial activity of different filters (A) and nanofibers (B) treated with the Trc extract or gramicidin S (GS). The bars in (A) marked with * indicate that the treated surface was that of wells in a 96-well plate (not filter) with PS as polystyrene and PP polypropylene. The inhibitory activity was determined in a low nutrient environment with high bacterial cell count (6.610.sup.4 M. luteus cells per well or 5 mm filter disk) using the viability assay. Bars represent the average of 6-9 determinations with standard error of the mean (SEM).

[0042] FIG. 4: Challenge of cellulose (CL) filters treated with Trc extract with different concentrations of bacteria showing the sterilisation effectivity as determined with a vitality assay on (A) Listeria monocytogenes and (B) Micrococcus luteus. Each data point represents the mean of 9 determinations with SEM.

[0043] FIG. 5: The effect of (A) pH changes and (B) temperature changes on the amount of tyrocidine retained on 50 g/mL cellulose filters as determined with a haemolytic assay. Gramicidin S (GS) was used for the positive control of 100% haemolysis observed and 50 g/mL unwashed cellulose filter as reference point to total amount tyrocidines originally adsorbed. Each data point represents the mean of 3 determinations with SEM.

[0044] FIG. 6: The effect of washing of cellulose (CL) filters treated with Trc extract with different solvents on the sterility of the filters as determined with a vitality assay with M. luteus as bacterial contaminant. Each data point represents the mean of at least 24 determinations with SEM.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] A method for preventing or treating microbial growth on a manufactured material or product, or for inactivating or killing microbes thereon, is described herein. The method comprises the step of applying to the surface of the manufactured material or product a composition comprising as an active agent a cyclic decapeptide which is a tyrocidine, trypocidine, phenycidine or gramicidin S, or a derivative or analogue thereof, the cyclic decapeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of cyclo(valine-X.sub.1-leucine-D-phenylalanine-proline-X.sub.2X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6) (SEQ ID NO: 1).

[0046] The manufactured product can be a material which can be used to produce another product or can be an end-product itself. The manufactured product is preferably made from or derived from a polymer. Suitable natural polymers include sugar-polymers (e.g. paper, tissue paper, cardboard, wood, polymers from modified cellulose, chitin, chitosan, starch, cotton etc.), leather, latex, glass, rubber, silk or any other derived solid or solidified material which is susceptible to microbial contamination. Suitable synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers include polyvinylidene (i.e. containing fluoride, iodine, bromide or chloride), polyvinyl, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene/polypropylene and the like, polyurethane, polyacrylamide, polyamide/imide and the like (nylons), polyepoxide (epoxies), polyether-ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, polylactic acid and the like, polymethyl acrylate and the like (acrylates), polytetrafluoroethylene and the like (teflons), polyfurfuryl alcohol, polysulfone, polycarbonate, ureaformaldehyde, polymers from modified cellulose (e.g. nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate and the like), acrylics, polymaleimide and the like, melamine, silicone or any other synthetically derived organic polymer, solid or solidified material which is susceptible to microbial contamination, including synthetic polymeric materials made from nanofibres. The manufactured material may also be a product made from a mixture of natural, synthetic and/or semi-synthetic polymers.

[0047] The product may have at least one solid or matrix-like surface.

[0048] The manufactured material is not a botanical plant or an unprocessed part of a plant, such as a fruit.

[0049] The manufactured product can be a medical device or part thereof (e.g. a catheter), a wound dressing or part thereof, food packaging, a container, wrapping, a surface or device used in the processing, transport or storage of food, a filter, a composite, paper, wrapping material, a wall, a work surface, a floor, a pipe or the like.

[0050] When applied to the surface of the material or product, the cyclic decapeptides will adsorb to the surface or become impregnated therein, and will prevent or inhibit attachment of microbes (such as from fungi, bacteria or other microorganisms) to the surface. The composition could also be used to inactivate or kill microorganisms, thus preventing the spread of microbial pathogens (germs). Thus, it is envisaged that the composition could be used to disinfect or sterilise a material, surface or product. The composition could also be used to inhibit formation of biofilms and/or biofouling on the surface of the product to which it is applied.

[0051] As used herein, a biofilm is a thin microbial layer, containing mostly biocide- or antibiotic-resistant microorganisms (such as bacteria and/or fungi), that forms on and coats various surfaces (such as catheters or water pipes).

[0052] Biofouling is the gradual accumulation of organisms (such as bacteria and protozoa, and in particular those that are waterborne) on the surfaces of structures that contributes to corrosion of the structures and to a decrease in the efficiency of moving parts. The structures are typically structures which are exposed to water or aqueous media.

[0053] Disinfection is the cleaning of something, especially by using a substance that kills microbes (germs) such as bacteria and fungi.

[0054] Sterilization is a term referring to any process that eliminates or kills all forms of life, including transmissible agents present on a surface, contained in a fluid, in medication, or in a compound such as biological culture media.

[0055] The composition may contain two or more different cyclic decapeptides of SEQ ID NO: 1. For example, the composition could include a combination of one or more tyrocidines and/or gramicidin S, or derivatives thereof.

[0056] The composition will be formulated to contain a concentration of the cyclic decapeptide(s) which is effective to prevent or inhibit attachment of the microbes to the surface to which the composition is applied or to inactivate or kill microbes which come into contact with the surface.

[0057] The composition can be applied to the surface of the manufactured material in a liquid or semi-liquid form so that the cyclic decapeptides can adsorb onto the surface of the material or product. For example, the composition can be in a liquid, gel, mist, aerosol or any other suitable formulation. Once applied, the composition can be allowed to dry. Alternatively, once the cyclic decapeptides have been able to adsorb to the surface of the product, a washing step may be performed to remove excess peptides which have not adsorbed to the product.

[0058] The composition can be suitably formulated to improve solid phase adhesion to the manufactured material, to improve activity or stability of the cyclic decapeptides, or to limit toxicity thereof.

[0059] As the peptides are adsorbed to the surface of the product rather than being covalently bound thereto, they are able to release from the surface when a target microorganism is present and will instead bind to the microorganism, thereby preventing the microorganism from adhering to the product. Thus, the composition will act in a slow-release manner, and the peptides can provide anti-microbial activity to the surface of the product over a sustained period of time.

[0060] Gramicidin S, tyrocidines, tryptocidines and phenycidines and derivatives/analogues thereof are broad spectrum microbiocides that are active against both bacterial and fungal contamination. The cyclic decapeptides analogues to the tyrocidines also show low phytotoxicity. The cyclic decapeptides described herein are heat stable, work over a wide pH range and are relatively insensitive to mineral salts. Moreover, because they are cyclic, they are less likely to be rapidly degraded like linear peptides. It is therefore envisaged that the compositions of the invention will be suitable for offering long term antimicrobial protection on manufactured surfaces.

[0061] Tyrocidines, tryptocidines, phenycidines and/or gramicidin S are -sheet cyclic decapeptide family produced by Bacillus (e.g. Bacillus aneurinolyticus) and Brevibacillus (Bacillus brevis) spp., respectively. These peptides have high sequence identity, are highly conserved and adopt a similar backbone conformation/molecular topology. Tyrocidines and gramicidin S have a common sequence of Val-Orn-Leu-D-Phe-Pro (SEQ ID NO: 4), where the cationic residue can either be ornithine or lysine. The valine and leucine residues can also be substituted for leucine, isoleucine and valine for tyrocidines. The complete gramicidin S sequence is a repeat of the highly conserved sequence of cyclo(Val-Orn-Leu-D-Phe-Pro).sub.2 (SEQ ID NO: 3). The complete tyrocidine sequence also contains this highly conserved sequence, but instead of a repeat thereof it is followed by a variable pentapeptide moiety, Phe-D-Phe-Asn-Gln-Tyr (SEQ ID NO: 5) or a derivative or analogue thereof. Any one or more of the three aromatic residues in the variable peptide moiety can be substituted with tyrosine, phenylalanine or tryptophan, giving rise to tyrocidines, phenycidines and tryptocidines.

[0062] The primary chemical structures of gramicidin S and tyrocidine A (one of the tyrocidines) are shown below:

##STR00001##

[0063] Tyrothricin (a tyrocidine-gramicidin complex where the gramicidins are linear neutral 15-mer peptides not related to gramicidin S) was the first antibiotic to be used in clinical practices, but later fell into disrepute due to its haemolytic toxicity (Dubos and Cattaneo, 1939, J. Exp. Med. 70: 249; Hotchkiss and Dubos, 1941, J. Biol. Chem., 141: 155; Bradshaw, 2003, Biodrugs, 17: 233-240). Studies have shown that tyrocidines have activity against Neurospora crassa (Mach and Slayman, 1966, BBA, 124: 351-336) and Gram-positive bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes (Spathelf and Rautenbach, 2009, Bioorg. Med. Chem, 17: 5541-5548), with the tyrocidines preventing L. monocytogenes biofilm formation (personal communication, A. N.-N. Leussa). Tyrothricin and the tyrocidines are also active against Candida albicans (Kretschmar et. al., 1996, Mysoses, 39: 45-50) and C. albicans biofilms (Troskie et al, 2014, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother, 58, 3697-3707). The applicant is, however, not aware of any studies which have been conducted on tyrothricin producers (e.g. Bacillus aneurinolyticus, commonly referred to as the Dubos strain of Bacillus brevis) or tyrocidines in sterilisation and the control of cell attachment to solid surfaces or matrixes or biofilm/biofouling prevention. This is possibly due to the perceived high toxicity of these peptides, although it would appear that this perception is unfounded (Rautenbach et. al., 2007, BBA Biomembr., 1768: 1488-1497). The tyrothricin complex has also been used in throat lozenges (1 mg tyrothricin per lozenge) under the trade name Tyrozets, indicating its relative safety for human consumption, although this product has been discontinued due to questionable efficacy. This complex has also been used in other studies as a gel, under the trade names Tyrosur and Limex, and has been shown to not have a curative effect on superficial wounds compared to the vehicle (gel without tyrothricin) and the untreated wound areas (Wigger-Alberti et. al., 2013, Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 26: 52-56).

[0064] The cyclic decapeptides of the present invention are known tyrocidines, tryptocidines, phenycidines or gramicidin S, or derivatives or analogues thereof, which have a highly conserved amino acid sequence comprising Val-X.sub.1-Leu-D-Phe-Pro-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6 (SEQ ID NO: 1), where X.sub.1 is ornithine or lysine, or a derivative or analogue thereof.

[0065] Suitable analogues of the tyrocidines, tryptocidines, phenycidines or gramicidin S may be those including any one or more of the following substitutions: [0066] the valine residue substituted with a leucine or isoleucine residue or hydrophobic amino acid or analogue/derivative; [0067] the leucine residue substituted with an isoleucine or valine residue or hydrophobic amino acid or analogue/derivative; [0068] the proline residue being replaced by hydroxyproline residue or analogue/derivative thereof; [0069] the phenylalanine residue substituted with a tryptophan or tyrosine residue or aromatic analogue/derivative thereof; [0070] the ornithine residue substituted with a lysine or a cationic amino acid or an analogue/derivative thereof; [0071] X.sub.2 being valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan or tyrosine or a hydrophobic amino acid or analogue/derivative; [0072] X.sub.3 being D-isomer of valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan or tyrosine or a hydrophobic amino acid or analogue/derivative thereof; or alternatively being an ornithine, lysine or cationic amino acid or analogue/derivative thereof; [0073] X.sub.4 being asparagine, glutamine or leucine or an analogue or derivative thereof; [0074] X.sub.5 being glutamine or a polar amino acid or analogue/derivative thereof; or alternatively being the D-isomer of valine, leucine, isoleucine or a hydrophobic amino acid or analogue/derivative thereof; and [0075] X.sub.6 being a tyrosine, phenylalanine or tryptophan or proline residue.

[0076] More preferably, the cyclic decapeptide derivatives may be one or more of the peptides selected from the group consisting of:

TABLE-US-00001 Tyrocidineanalogues: (SEQIDNO:6) Cyclo-(VKLfPWwNQY)(TyrocidineC.sub.1,TrcC.sup.1) (SEQIDNO:7) Cyclo-(VOLfPWwNQY)(TyrocidineC,TrcC) (SEQIDNO:8) Cyclo-(VKLfPWfNQY)(TyrocidineB.sub.1,TrcB.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:9) Cyclo-(VOLfPWfNQY)(TyrocidineB,TrcB) (SEQIDNO:10) Cyclo-(VKLfPFwNQY)(TyrocidineB.sub.1,TrcB.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:11) Cyclo-(VOLfPFwNQY)(TyrocidineB,TrcB) (SEQIDNO:12) Cyclo-(VKLfPFfNQY)(TyrocidineA.sub.1,TrcA.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:13) Cyclo-(VOLfPFfNQY)(TyrocidineA,TrcA) (SEQIDNO:14) Cyclo-(VKLfPYwNQY) (SEQIDNO:15) Cyclo-(VOLfPYwNQY) (SEQIDNO:16) Cyclo-(VKLfPYfNQY) (SEQIDNO:17) Cyclo-(VOLfPYfNQY) (SEQIDNO:18) Cyclo-(VKLfPFyNQY) (SEQIDNO:19) Cyclo-(VOLfPFyNQY) (SEQIDNO:20) Cyclo-(VKLfPWyNQY) (SEQIDNO:21) Cyclo-(VOLfPWyNQY) (SEQIDNO:22) Cyclo-(LKLfPWwNQY) (SEQIDNO:23) Cyclo-(LOLfPWwNQY) (SEQIDNO:24) Cyclo-(LKLfPWfNQY) (SEQIDNO:25) Cyclo-(LOLfPWfNQY) (SEQIDNO:26) Cyclo-(LKLfPFwNQY) (SEQIDNO:27) Cyclo-(LOLfPFwNQY) (SEQIDNO:28) Cyclo-(LKLfPFfNQY) (SEQIDNO:29) Cyclo-(LOLfPFfNQY) (SEQIDNO:30) Cyclo-(LKLfPYwNQY) (SEQIDNO:31) Cyclo-(LOLfPYwNQY) (SEQIDNO:32) Cyclo-(LKLfPYfNQY) (SEQIDNO:33) Cyclo-(LOLfPYfNQY) (SEQIDNO:34) Cyclo-(LKLfPFyNQY) (SEQIDNO:35) Cyclo-(LOLfPFyNQY) (SEQIDNO:36) Cyclo-(LKLfPWyNQY) (SEQIDNO:37) Cyclo-(LOLfPWyNQY) (SEQIDNO:38) Cyclo-(IKLfPWwNQY) (SEQIDNO:39) Cyclo-(IOLfPWwNQY) (SEQIDNO:40) Cyclo-(IKLfPWfNQY) (SEQIDNO:41) Cyclo-(IOLfPWfNQY) (SEQIDNO:42) Cyclo-(IKLfPFwNQY) (SEQIDNO:43) Cyclo-(IOLfPFwNQY) (SEQIDNO:44) Cyclo-(IKLfPFfNQY) (SEQIDNO:45) Cyclo-(IOLfPFfNQY) (SEQIDNO:46) Cyclo-(IKLfPYwNQY) (SEQIDNO:47) Cyclo-(IOLfPYwNQY) (SEQIDNO:48) Cyclo-(IKLfPYfNQY) (SEQIDNO:49) Cyclo-(IOLfPYfNQY) (SEQIDNO:50) Cyclo-(IKLfPFyNQY) (SEQIDNO:51) Cyclo-(IOLfPFyNQY) (SEQIDNO:52) Cyclo-(IKLfPWyNQY) (SEQIDNO:53) Cyclo-(IOLfPWyNQY) (SEQIDNO:54) Cyclo-(VKLfPLwNQY) (SEQIDNO:55) Cyclo-(VOLfPLwNQY) (SEQIDNO:56) Cyclo-(VKLfPLfNQY) (SEQIDNO:57) Cyclo-(VOLfPLfNQY) (SEQIDNO:58) Cyclo-(VKLfPLyNQY) (SEQIDNO:59) Cyclo-(VOLfPLyNQY) Tryptocidineanalogues: (SEQIDNO:60) Cyclo-(VKLfPWwNQW)(TryptocidineC.sub.1,TpcC.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:61) Cyclo-(VOLfPWwNQW)(TryptocidineC,TpcC) (SEQIDNO:62) Cyclo-(VKLfPWfNQW)(TryptocidineB.sub.1,TpcB.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:63) Cyclo-(VOLfPWfNQW)(TryptocidineB,TpcB) (SEQIDNO:64) Cyclo-(VKLfPFwNQW)(TryptocidineB.sub.1,TpcB.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:65) Cyclo-(VOLfPFwNQW)(TryptocidineB,Tpc6) (SEQIDNO:66) Cyclo-(VKLfPFfNQW)(TryptocidineA.sub.1,TpcA.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:67) Cyclo-(VOLfPFfNQW)(TryptocidineA,TpcA) (SEQIDNO:68) Cyclo-(VKLfPYwNQW) (SEQIDNO:69) Cyclo-(VOLfPYwNQW) (SEQIDNO:70) Cyclo-(VKLfPYfNQW) (SEQIDNO:71) Cyclo-(VOLfPYfNQW) (SEQIDNO:72) Cyclo-(VKLfPFyNQW) (SEQIDNO:73) Cyclo-(VOLfPFyNQW) (SEQIDNO:74) Cyclo-(VKLfPWyNQW) (SEQIDNO:75) Cyclo-(VOLfPWyNQW) (SEQIDNO:76) Cyclo-(LKLfPWwNQW) (SEQIDNO:77) Cyclo-(LOLfPWwNQW) (SEQIDNO:78) Cyclo-(LKLfPWfNQW) (SEQIDNO:79) Cyclo-(LOLfPWfNQW) (SEQIDNO:80) Cyclo-(LKLfPFwNQW) (SEQIDNO:81) Cyclo-(LOLfPFwNQW) (SEQIDNO:82) Cyclo-(LKLfPFfNQW) (SEQIDNO:83) Cyclo-(LOLfPFfNQW) (SEQIDNO:84) Cyclo-(LKLfPYwNQW) (SEQIDNO:85) Cyclo-(LOLfPYwNQW) (SEQIDNO:86) Cyclo-(LKLfPYfNQW) (SEQIDNO:87) Cyclo-(LOLfPYfNQW) (SEQIDNO:88) Cyclo-(LKLfPFyNQW) (SEQIDNO:89) Cyclo-(LOLfPFyNQW) (SEQIDNO:90) Cyclo-(LKLfPWyNQW) (SEQIDNO:91) Cyclo-(LOLfPWyNQW) (SEQIDNO:92) Cyclo-(IKLfPWwNQW) (SEQIDNO:93) Cyclo-(IOLfPWwNQW) (SEQIDNO:94) Cyclo-(IKLfP(WONQW) (SEQIDNO:95) Cyclo-(IOLfP(Wf)NQW) (SEQIDNO:96) Cyclo-(IKLfP(Fw)NQW) (SEQIDNO:97) Cyclo-(IOLfP(Fw)NQW) (SEQIDNO:98) Cyclo-(IKLfPFfNQW) (SEQIDNO:99) Cyclo-(IOLfPFfNQW) (SEQIDNO:100) Cyclo-(IKLfPYwNQW) (SEQIDNO:101) Cyclo-(IOLfPYwNQW) (SEQIDNO:102) Cyclo-(IKLfPYfNQW) (SEQIDNO:103) Cyclo-(IOLfPYfNQW) (SEQIDNO:104) Cyclo-(IKLfPFyNQW) (SEQIDNO:105) Cyclo-(IOLfPFyNQW) (SEQIDNO:106) Cyclo-(IKLfPWyNQW) (SEQIDNO:107) Cyclo-(IOLfPWyNQW) (SEQIDNO:108) Cyclo-(VKLfPLwNQW) (SEQIDNO:109) Cyclo-(VOLfPLwNQW) (SEQIDNO:110) Cyclo-(VKLfPLfNQW) (SEQIDNO:111) Cyclo-(VOLfPLfNQW) (SEQIDNO:112) Cyclo-(VKLfPLyNQW) (SEQIDNO:113) Cyclo-(VOLfPLyNQW) Phenycidineanalogues: (SEQIDNO:114) Cyclo-(VKLfPWwNQF)(PhenycidineC.sub.1,PhcC.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:115) Cyclo-(VOLfPWwNQF)(PhenycidineC,PhcC) (SEQIDNO:116) Cyclo-(VKLfPWfNQF)(PhenycidineB.sub.1,PhcB.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:117) Cyclo-(VOLfPWfNQF)(PhenycidineB,PhcB) (SEQIDNO:118) Cyclo-(VKLfPFwNQF)(PhenycidineB.sub.1,PhcB.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:119) Cyclo-(VOLfPFwNQF)(PhenycidineB,PhcB) (SEQIDNO:120) Cyclo-(VKLfPFfNQF)(PhenycidineA.sub.1,PhcA.sub.1) (SEQIDNO:121) Cyclo-(VOLfPFfNQF)(PhenycidineAor TyrocidineE,PhcA) (SEQIDNO:122) Cyclo-(VKLfPYwNQF) (SEQIDNO:123) Cyclo-(VOLfPYwNQF) (SEQIDNO:124) Cyclo-(VKLfPYfNQF) (SEQIDNO:125) Cyclo-(VOLfPYfNQF) (SEQIDNO:126) Cyclo-(VKLfPFyNQF) (SEQIDNO:127) Cyclo-(VOLfPFyNQF) (SEQIDNO:128) Cyclo-(VKLfPWyNQF) (SEQIDNO:129) Cyclo-(VOLfPWyNQF) (SEQIDNO:130) Cyclo-(LKLfPWwNQF) (SEQIDNO:131) Cyclo-(LOLfPWwNQF) (SEQIDNO:132) Cyclo-(LKLfPWfNQF) (SEQIDNO:133) Cyclo-(LOLfPWfNQF) (SEQIDNO:134) Cyclo-(LKLfPFwNQF) (SEQIDNO:135) Cyclo-(LOLfPFwNQF) (SEQIDNO:136) Cyclo-(LKLfPYwNQF) (SEQIDNO:137) Cyclo-(LOLfPYwNQF) (SEQIDNO:138) Cyclo-(LKLfPYfNQF) (SEQIDNO:139) Cyclo-(LOLfPYfNQF) (SEQIDNO:140) Cyclo-(LKLfPFyNQF) (SEQIDNO:141) Cyclo-(LOLfPFyNQF) (SEQIDNO:142) Cyclo-(LKLfPWyNQF) (SEQIDNO:143) Cyclo-(LOLfPWyNQF) (SEQIDNO:144) Cyclo-(LKLfPFfNQF) (SEQIDNO:145) Cyclo-(LOLfPFfNQF) (SEQIDNO:146) Cyclo-(IKLfPWwNQF) (SEQIDNO:147) Cyclo-(IOLfPWwNQF) (SEQIDNO:148) Cyclo-(IKLfPWfNQF) (SEQIDNO:149) Cyclo-(IOLfPWfNQF) (SEQIDNO:150) Cyclo-(IKLfPFwNQF) (SEQIDNO:151) Cyclo-(IOLfPFwNQF) (SEQIDNO:152) Cyclo-(IKLfPYwNQF) (SEQIDNO:153) Cyclo-(IOLfPYwNQF) (SEQIDNO:154) Cyclo-(IKLfPYfNQF) (SEQIDNO:155) Cyclo-(IOLfPYfNQF) (SEQIDNO:156) Cyclo-(IKLfPFyNQF) (SEQIDNO:157) Cyclo-(IOLfPFyNQF) (SEQIDNO:158) Cyclo-(IKLfPWyNQF) (SEQIDNO:159) Cyclo-(IOLfPWyNQF) (SEQIDNO:160) Cyclo-(IKLfPFfNQF) (SEQIDNO:161) Cyclo-(IOLfPFfNQF) (SEQIDNO:162) Cyclo-(VKLfPLwNQF) (SEQIDNO:163) Cyclo-(VOLfPLwNQF) (SEQIDNO:164) Cyclo-(VKLfPLfNQF) (SEQIDNO:165) Cyclo-(VOLfPLfNQF) (SEQIDNO:166) Cyclo-(VKLfPLyNQF) (SEQIDNO:167) Cyclo-(VOLfPLyNQF) GramicidinSanalogues: (SEQIDNO:168) Cyclo-(VOLfPVOLfP)(GramicidinS) (SEQIDNO:169) Cyclo-(VKLfPVOLfP) (SEQIDNO:170) Cyclo-(VKLfPVKLfP) (SEQIDNO:171) Cyclo-(LOLfPVOLfP) (SEQIDNO:172) Cyclo-(LKLfPVOLfP) (SEQIDNO:173) Cyclo-(LOLfPVKLfP) (SEQIDNO:174) Cyclo-(LKLfPVKLfP) (SEQIDNO:175) Cyclo-(LOLfPLOLfP) (SEQIDNO:176) Cyclo-(LKLfPLOLfP) (SEQIDNO:177) Cyclo-(LKLfPLKLfP)

[0077] In the sequences above, standard upper case abbreviations denote L-amino acids, with the exception of O for ornithine, lower case abbreviations denote a D-residue and cyclo indicates amino to carboxy-terminal cyclisation via an amide bond.

[0078] References herein to cyclic decapeptides refer to the sequences stated above and analogues or derivatives thereof.

[0079] The cyclic decapeptides can be produced by their natural bacterial producers, by genetically modifying a suitable microorganism or by using an organic/semi-synthetic system. The amino acid residues in the derivatives or analogues can separately or in combination be replaced in the core cyclic decapeptide sequence (cyclo(valine-ornithine-leucine-D-phenylalanine-proline-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6) (SEQ ID NO: 1) by bacterial/microbial production or using organic/semi-synthetic systems.

[0080] The cyclic decapeptides can be chemically or enzymatically modified to improve matrix adhesion and/or solubility and/or bio-activity and/or to limit toxicity. Modification methods include activation for covalent coupling, oxidation, hydroxylation, acylation, amidation, coupling of an organic moiety, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amino, methyl or sugar/sugar, side chain modification and biosynthetic modification.

[0081] The cyclic decapeptides, mixtures thereof or modifications thereof can be formulated into a suitable composition for use on solid matrixes. The composition can be suitably formulated to improve matrix adhesion, solubility, activity, stability and/or limit toxicity. Formulations can contain biological salts, lipids or lipid derivatives, polysaccharides or polysaccharide derivatives, sugars or sugar derivatives, bio-friendly or approved GRAS additives.

[0082] A surfactant can be used as a wetting, solubilizing and penetrating agent. Suitable surfactants include peptide derived surfactants (e.g. surfactin and iturin), non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, such as cholic acids, alkyl sulphate salts, alkylsulfonic acid salts, alkylarylsulfonic acid salts, alkyl aryl ethers and their polyoxyethylene derivatives, polyethylene glycol ethers, polyol esters and sugar alcohol derivatives.

[0083] Other components of the formulation can include additional surface active agents, solvents, cosolvents, dyes, U.V. (ultra-violet) protectants, antioxidants, stickers, spreaders, anti-foaming agents, preservatives, humectants, buffers, wetting agents, dispersants, fixing agents, disintegrators, acid solubilisers or other components which facilitate handling and applications. These carriers, diluents, auxiliary agents and so forth are preferably selected to optimize the antimicrobial action on selected solid matrixes.

[0084] Other auxiliary agents can include, for example, adhesive agents and dispersing agents, such as casein, polysaccharides (e.g. powdered starch, gum arabic, cellulose derivatives, alginic acid, chitin), lignin derivatives and synthetic water-soluble polymers (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyacrylic acid), salts (e.g. citrate, chloride, sulphate, acetate, ammonium, bicarbonate, phosphate salts) and stabilizers such as PAP (isopropyl acid phosphate), BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), BHA (2-3-tert-butyl-4-methyoxyphenol), vegetable oils, mineral oils, phospholipids, waxes, fatty acids and fatty acid esters.

[0085] The composition can also include one or more other antimicrobial/antibiotic or antifungal compounds, including natural peptides, lipopeptides or antibiotics from animal, microbial or plant origin or chemically produced fungicides or antibiotics. For example, the composition can include a tyrocidine-gramicidin (termed tyrothricin) complex.

[0086] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Methods and Materials

Preparation of Solid Matrixes Containing Cyclodecapeptides

[0087] Different polymer matrixes (polymer filters, nanospun membranes/films and 96-well plates) were incubated in a 50 g/mL tyrocidine (Trc) or gramicidin S (GS) solution in high purity water (HP water generated via a MilliQ system) containing 2% ethanol for one hour, after which they were rinsed with HP water for two minutes. Thereafter, the filters (plates or nanofiber sheets) were dried overnight in a 555 C. oven and prepared for antibacterial and haemolytic assays. Absorbance measurements were taken of the peptide-containing incubation solution before and after incubation at 230 nm, and the amount of peptide bound to the matrixes was calculated using the equation (A.sub.230+0.0053)/0.015=[Trc] g/mL or (A.sub.2300.019)/0.0032=[GS] g/mL. Polymer matrixes used included filters from mixed nitrocellulose/cellulose acetate esters (HAWP pore size 0.45 m; GSWP, pore size 0.22 m), polyvinylidene difluoride (GVHP, pore size 0.22 m; HVLP, pore size 0.45 m), polycarbonate (PC, pore size 0.45 m), cellulose acetate esters (CA, pore size 0.45 m) and cellulose filters (CL) (Table 1 shows some examples). HAWP, GSWP, HVLP and GSWP filters were supplied by Waters-Millipore (Milford, USA). PC filters were supplied by Nuclepore Corp (Plesanton, Calif., USA). CA acetate and HDC disks were provided by Sartorius (Gottingen, Germany). CL filters (MN 615/No 1) were obtained from Macherey-Nagel (Duren, Germany). Other matrixes that were tested included high density cellulose (packaging material), nanospun films/membranes of polymethyl methacrylate (PMM) with 1-10% chitin and cellulose with 1-10% chitin provide by M Lutz, Polymer Chemistry, University of Stellenbosch, and Nunc 96-well microplates consisting of polypropylene (PP) or low protein-binding polystyrene (PS) provided by AEC Amersham (Johannesburg, South Africa).

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Characteristics and conventional use of selected filters utilised in this study as example materials for treatment with cyclodecapeptides Protein Filter name Monomer structure(s) binding Conventional use Hydrophilic character Mixed cellulose ester- cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose (GSWP, HAWP) [00002] High Binding Buffer/solvent filtration, unsuitable for protein recovery Cellulose acetate (CA) [00003] Very low binding Filtration of tissue culture media and sensitive biological samples High density cellulose (HDC) Cellulose (CL) [00004] Unknown Extremely low non-specific binding Packaging Applications where low non-specific binding is desired Polivinylidene difluoride (HVLP) [00005] Low non- specific binding General biological filtration where high protein recovery is desired Hydrophobic character Polivinylidene difluoride (GVHP) [00006] Low non- specific binding General biological filtration where high protein recovery is desired Polycarbonate (PC) [00007] Low non- specific binding General sterile filtration

Physical and Chemical Analysis Peptide-Treated Filters

[0088] To confirm the presence of peptides on the filters, ninhydrin (0.2% in 95% ethanol) was sprayed on the filters and the colour developed at 50-60 C. To further assess the presence of tyrocidines on the CL filters, peptide was desorbed by incubation in 50% (v/v) acetonitrile for 5 days after which the solution was removed, centrifuged at 1200g for 10 min, and the supernatant was collected and freeze-dried. The amount of peptides was determined by weighing and the presence of peptide and peptide identity was determined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography linked to electrospray mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESMS) using Acquity UPLC linked to Waters Q-TOF Ultima mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionisation source. The UPLC-ESMS methodology which was used is described by Vosloo et al. (2013), Microbiology 159, 2200-2211, DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.068734-0.

[0089] The wettability of untreated and GS- and Trc-treated filters were determined to ascertain the effect the peptides have on the hydrophobicity of the filters. Water containing blue food colouring (50 L) was pipetted onto untreated and treated filters and the filters were monitored for the drop size and time to complete absorption.

[0090] Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to assess the surface structure of treated and untreated filters for the possible changes brought about by treating the filters with a tyrocidine extract. Filters were dried completely to remove any moisture that could interfere with the SEM signal, by placing them under vacuum and in a desiccator with phosphorus pentoxide. Samples were then mounted on stubs covered in double-sided carbon isolation tape and subsequently coated with a thin layer of gold to make the surface of the sample electrically-conductive. SEM images were obtained with a Leo 1430VP SEM. Conditions during the surface analysis were 7 kV and 1.5 nA for the beam conditions, a spot size of 145-155 nm and a working distance of 13 mm.

Antibacterial Growth Assay

[0091] Micrococcus luteus NCTC 8340 was cultured from a freezer stock on Luria Bertani plates (LB: 1% (w/v) NaCl (Merck), 1% (w/v) tryptone (Merck), 0.5% (w/v) yeast extract (Merck), 1.5% (w/v) agar (BioLab) in analytical grade water) and incubated at 37 C. for a period of 48 hours. A colony inoculate in 20 mL of sterile LB broth was incubated at 37 C. until an A.sub.620=0.6 was reached. Peptide-treated matrix and a control untreated matrix were transferred to a LB agar plate (high nutrient environment). The M. luteus culture was diluted to A.sub.620 of 0.2, further diluted (2000-10000 fold) and transferred to both treated and untreated filters on the LB plate. Plates were incubated for 48 hours at 37 C., after which the matrixes were inspected for the number of colony forming units (CFU).

Cell Viability Assay

[0092] Treated and untreated matrixes (filters, membrane and films) were punched into 5 mm disks and triplicate disks were transferred to black 98-well microplates. A mid-log phase M. luteus culture was diluted with LB media to A.sub.620 of 0.20 (1.310.sup.7 CFU/mL). Each well received 54 of the diluted culture (6.610.sup.2 CFUs) on top of the 5 mm disk. The plate was incubated at 37 C. for one hour after which 90 L phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 10 L CellTiter-Blue Reagent was added to each well. The plate was again incubated for 2 hours at 37 C. After the one hour incubation in the low nutrient environment, the fluorescence was determined at an excitation wavelength of 530 nm and emission wavelength of 590 nm. The fluorescence reading was taken with a Varioskan Multimode reader from Thermo Scientific controlled by Skanit Software 2.4.1 from Thermo Electron. Each plate was shaken for 5 seconds before measurements were taken at 25 C.

[0093] Cell viability was calculated using the equation:

[00001]$\%.Math..Math.\mathrm{Viability}=100\frac{\mathrm{Fluorecence}.Math..Math.\mathrm{in}.Math..Math.\mathrm{well}-\mathrm{background}}{\mathrm{Average}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Fluorecence}.Math..Math.\mathrm{of}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Controls}-\mathrm{background}}$

Haemolytic Assay

[0094] Fresh blood from anonymous donors (obtained from the Western Cape Blood transfusion Service, South Africa) was transferred to a sterile Falcon tube, filled with sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS: 4.0% (w/v) NaCl, 0.1% (w/v) KC, 0.72% (w/v) Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4, 0.1% (w/v) KH.sub.2PO.sub.4, pH 7.2, 5 concentrated stock solution) and centrifuged at 1200g for 3 minutes. The supernatant was removed and the process repeated. The supernatant was removed once again and remaining blood cells were used for the assays. A clear 96-well microplate was used for this assay. Three disks of each of the matrixes (treated and untreated) were placed into the wells and 4 wells received 10 L of gramicidin S as positive haemolytic control (1.0 mg/mL). Blood (100 L at 2% hematocrit) was pipetted into each of the wells, after which the plates were sealed and incubated at 37 C. for 2 hours. Following the incubation, the plates were centrifuged for 6 minutes at 300g. PBS (90 L) was added to each well of a new plate and 10 L of the supernatant from each of the wells of the incubated plate was transferred to the PBS. The absorbance was measured at 595 nm. Percentage haemolysis was calculated by adapting an equation used for dose response assays (Rautenbach, Gerstner, Vlok, Kulenkamff and Westerhoff, 2005, Anal. Biochem. 350:81-90):

[00002]$\%.Math..Math.\mathrm{Hemolysis}=100\frac{\mathrm{Absorbance}.Math..Math.\mathrm{of}.Math..Math.\mathrm{well}-\mathrm{background}}{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{Average}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Absorbance}.Math..Math.\mathrm{of}.Math..Math.100.Math.\%.Math..Math.\mathrm{lysis}\\ \left(\mathrm{GS}.Math..Math.\mathrm{containing}.Math..Math.\mathrm{wells}\right)-\mathrm{background}\end{array}}$

[0095] A standard curve of tyrocidine doubling dilution (dose response), starting at 20 g/mL, was used to determine the amount of Tres leading to lysis. Lysis was determined from the linear part of the dose-response curve using the equation: (% haemolysis2.38)/5.74=[Trc] g/mL. GS haemolysis proved to be insensitive below 10 g/mL.

Stability Testing

[0096] CL filters (100 mm diameter CL with or without 50 g/mL tyrocidine treatment) were challenged with multiple wash steps. CL filters were placed in 100 mL of HP water and washed for 1 minute, after which they were transferred to fresh HP water and washed again. This procedure was repeated 12 times.

[0097] Solvent-challenges were performed on CL filters when placed in 100 mL 100% acetonitrile (ACN) or HP water containing either 2% NaCl, 1% triethylamine (TEA), 1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) or 50% ACN and washed for 1 minute.

[0098] The temperature challenges were performed on CL filters for 1 minute with 100 mL HP water heated to 25 C., 40 C., 60 C., 80 C. and 100 C.

[0099] The pH stability of the Trc treated CL filters (100 mm) was determined by exposing the filters to a range of pH values. The pH of wash solvent (100 mL HP water) was adjusted with HCl for pH 1, pH 3 and pH 5 and HCl/NaOH to obtain pH 7 and NaOH for pH 9, pH 11 and pH 13.

[0100] Both peptide-treated and untreated filters were subjected to the wash treatments. After treatment, the filters were washed (one wash with 100 mL HP water) and dried overnight (161 hours) in a low temperature oven (555 C.). The change in retained activity was studied with the haemolytic assay and the CFU antimicrobial growth assay or vitality assay as previously described.

Character of Peptide Treated Polymer and Paper Filters

[0101] Solid matrixes were chosen to cover a range of polarities, filter characteristics and conventional applications (Table 1). The amount of peptide adsorbed was determined with change in absorbance in the incubation solution and haemolysis assay. The amount of Trc adsorbed was calculated to between 1-4 g/cm.sup.2 (Table 2). The haemolysis assay generally gave lower values that the A.sub.230 assay, probably because it is less sensitive or because petide were bound in a way that did not elicit haemolytic activity. The amount of GS retained, based on the absorbance method, was determined for GVHP (5.31.1 g/cm.sup.2), HVLP (2.80.6 g/cm.sup.2) and polycarbonate (1.22.2 g/cm.sup.2). It was not possible to determine the GS due to the release of an absorbing component from the other filters. The haemolysis assay was insensitive, as GS only started to lyse red blood cells at >10 g/mL.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Summary of results obtained in methods utilized to quantify the peptide adsorbed to the different filters treated with Trc extract Method of Positive Mixed CL esters Mixed CL esters HVLP GVHP Polycar- Cellulose quantification Control HAWP (0.45 m) GSWP (0.22 m) (0.45 m) (0.22 m) bonate Acetate HDC.sup.b Cellulose Absorbance 50.sup.a 3.3 0.7 3.4 2.4 1.8 1.0 1.6 0.8 0.9 0.5 na na na (A.sub.230) g/cm.sup.2 Ninhydrin Purple nd nd nd nd nd nd nd Purple Desorption.sup.b 3.8 g/cm.sup.2 Hemolysis <0.5 <1 1.1 1.1 0.9 0.7 <0.5 <0.5 2.2 1.3 3.6 1.6 assay .sup.aTrc concentration in m/mL in incubation solution .sup.bDesorption was achieved by incubating cellulose filters in 50% (v/v) acetonitrile for 5 days nd = not detected; = not determined; na = not applicable

[0102] Desorption of the Trc extract was done to confirm the presence and identity of the adsorbed peptide on the filters. This was conducted in 50% ACN (v/v), since the peptide readily dissolves in the solvent and accordingly aids desorption of the peptide. The UPLC-MS analysis performed on the desorption extract of peptide from the treated cellulose filters confirmed the presence of the major tyrocidines and tryptocidines (FIG. 1A), all of which are present in the original peptide extract used for the treatment of the solid surfaces (FIG. 1B). Peptides with modifications, such as hydroxylation, oxidation, deamination and glycosylation (via Maillard reaction with degraded/hydrolysed cellulose) were not observed.

[0103] The wettability, an indicator of hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, could possibly be altered by the adsorption of peptide, and this change in character would be an indication of the orientation in which in the peptide adsorbed to the various filters. The wettability of untreated and treated filters was determined (Table 3) and the untreated filters were rated in terms of hydrophobicity based on the time it took for a water droplet to completely absorb into the filter. The cellulose filters were observed to be very hydrophilic (absorbed water droplet in less than 10 seconds), followed by HAWP, GSWP, CA, HVLP and then GVHP. HDC and PC were observed to be hydrophobic, as the water droplet were not absorbed by 30 minutes. Trc extract- and GS-treated PC, HDC and CL filters showed no visible change in hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature, with HDC showing only a slight increase in hydrophilicity with GS treatment. Trc treatment made CA much more hydrophilic, while GS also lead to an increase in hydrophilicity, indicating the exposure of the polar amino acids to the surface. Trc made the HAWP filters more hydrophobic, whereas the gramicidin S made the filter more hydrophilic. Trc and GS treatment increased the hydrophobicity of the rest of the filters, indicating interaction with polar amino acid residues in these peptides and exposure of the hydrophobic residues to the surface.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Wettability characteristics of selected filters utilised in this study as example materials for treatment with cyclodecapeptides Trc GS induced induced Untreated Trc treated change in GS treated change in Wettability measurement filters filters hydrophobicity filters hydrophobicity Mixed cellulose acetate/nitrocellulose esters (HAWP, 0.45 m pores) Time until absorbed (min) 2.25 2.35 increase 2.20 slight Drop Diameter (cm) 0.88 0.72 0.96 decrease Mixed cellulose acetate/nitrocellulose esters (GSWP, 0.22 m pores) Time until absorbed (min) 3.25 3.47 increase 3.55 increase Drop Diameter (cm) 0.81 0.89 0.81 Cellulose Acetate (CA) Time until absorbed (min) 6.15 1.49 decrease 5.01 decrease Drop Diameter (cm) 0.85 1.01 0.85 High density cellulose (HDC) Time until absorbed (min) >30 >30 No change >30 slight Drop Diameter (cm) 0.80 0.80 0.94 increase Cellulose (CL, No 1) Time until absorbed <10 s <10 s no change <10 s no change Drop Diameter (cm) >1 >1 >1 Polyvinylidene difluoride (HVLP, 0.45 m pores) Time until absorbed (min) 7.26 10.34 increase 9.20 increase Drop Diameter (cm) 0.64 0.57 0.72 Polyvinylidene difluoride (GVLP, 0.22 m pores) Time until absorbed (min) 11.00 16.40 increase 17.25 increase Drop Diameter (cm) 1.00 0.73 1.00 Polycarbonate (PC, 0.45 m pores) Time until absorbed (min) >30 >30 no change >30 no change Drop Diameter (cm) 0.73 0.73 0.73

[0104] The extent of the change observed in hydrophobic/hydrophilic character would depend on how much of the peptide is a certain orientation. Based on the amphipathic nature of Tres, it can be assumed that an increase in hydrophobicity translates to the peptide binding to the surface with its hydrophilic sequence (Asn-Gln-Tyr-Val-Orn/Lys), leaving the hydrophobic sequence (Leu-Phe-Pro-Phe-Phe) to be exposed to the water, and vice versa. For GS, the hydrophilic association was most probably via the cationic Orn residues, while hydrophobic association probably took place via the rest of the residues.

[0105] The microscopic SEM analysis of the filters revealed no visual difference between the Trc-treated and untreated filters studied (GSWP, CA and CL), other than a slight bulking of the fibres in Trc-treated filters (results not shown). In all cases, the filter pore structure and structural integrity seemed unchanged. Comparing the Trc-treated CL filter (FIG. 2B) to the CL-treated filters exposed to target cells (FIGS. 2C and 2D), an increase of debris formation on the surface of these filters can be observed but no intact cells, which indicates that cells are lysed. This suggests that the activity of the treated filter is due to the filter possibly being able to entrap the target cells, where the bound Trc can interact with and lyse the target cells. Due to the hydrophilic nature of the filter, the tyrocidines are most likely to be adsorbed to the filter via the hydrophilic residues in the peptide, leaving the hydrophobic residues of the peptide exposed to interact with the target cells and cause the observed lysis. Alternatively, it could be that aggregated Tres are released from the filter structure, in particular dimeric Trc which is proposed to be the active structure (Munyuki et al. (2013) Biochemistry, 44, 7798-7806), as target cells associate with the Trc-coated surface.

Antimicrobial Activity of Peptide-Treated Polymers and Paper Filters

[0106] Antibacterial assays were conducted against the Gram-positive model organism, M. luteus, using a range of different matrixes to study the activity of tyrocidines adsorbed to solid surfaces. With the 48 hour growth assays, using a low cell count in a high nutrient environment to support fast growing cells, all the Trc-treated filters, except the CA filters, were protected against overt colonisation by M. luteus (Table 4). GS treatment only protected CL, HDC and HVLP against overt colonisation by M. luteus (Table 4), indicating that Trc treatment of filters may be more effective than the GS treatment when cells are actively growing.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Antibacterial activity of Trc- and GS-treated filters against growing M. luteus in a high nutrient environment using the CFU growth assay M. luteus, detected CFU/cm.sup.2 after 48 h in nutrient rich environment Material/matrix Trc- (filters) Control treated Control GS-treated Mixed nitrocellulose/cellulose 28 1 1 1 4 1 4 1 acetate esters (HAWP, 0.45 m) Mixed nitrocellulose/cellulose 29 2 2 2 3 2 3 1 acetate esters (GSWP 0.22 m) Cellulose acetate (CA) 8 2 8 2 3 1 3 1 High density cellulose (HDC) 43 4 0 4 1 0 Cellulose (CL) 45 2 0 3 1 0 Polyvinylidene difluoride 27 4 0 3 1 0 (HVLP, 0.45 m) Polyvinylidene difluoride 34 1 0 3 1 3 1 (GVHP, 0.22 m) Polycarbonate (PC, 0.45 um) 32 3 0 3 1 4 1

[0107] Different filters, surfaces and nanofibers, treated with Trc extract or GS, were assessed for the more direct short-term killing of M. luteus (sterilisation) using a low nutrient environment, high cell count and the Alamar Blue vitality assay to assess bacterial metabolism. Good protection of HDC and CL filters was again observed for both the Trc extract and GS treatment (FIG. 3A). GS again showed good protection in the HVLP filter and improved activity in all the other filters except PC. Trc treatment gave similar protection to that of GS, except for HVLP where GS was superior. However, Trc did not prove to be as effective in direct sterilisation, particularly for the more hydrophobic filters (e.g. PC) and filters where it led to increased hydrophobicity of the filters (HAWP, GSWP, HVLP and GSWP) (Tables 4 and 3). This could be due to the limited spreading of the 5 L culture on the filter, limiting the contact of the bacteria with the rest of the Trc-coated filter, and thus this assay could have underestimated the overall filter activity. The opposite was true for CA, where Trc increased the hydrophilicity dramatically and led to an increased sterilisation as detected with the vitality assay (Tables 3 and 4). Similar sterilisation to CL filters was observed for nanofibre films containing CL when treated with Trc extract (FIG. 3B). The Trc-treated nanofibres containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMM) also had a good sterilisation activity, although this was slightly less than the nanofibres with CL. The inclusion of chitin in the nanofibres with CL or PMM did not have a major influence, although high chitin content did lead to some loss of activity (FIG. 3B).

[0108] Trc treatment of CL was found to provide sterilisation for a challenge of up to 10.sup.5 Gram-positive bacterial cells per cm.sup.2, including the food-pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (FIG. 4). Overt activity for either GS- or Trc-treated CL filters against Gram-negative organisms, however, was not demonstrated. The filters retained moderate antifungal activity against most environmental fungi, as indicated by a separate study on seed germination using the Trc-treated CL filters as matrix in a highly humid environment (results not shown).

[0109] The antibacterial activity observed for the peptide adsorbed to CL and HDC filters, as well as the CL containing nanofibers, bodes well for the application of the these matrixes, since it has been noted that organisms favour attachment to CL surfaces to initiate biofilm formation. It also opens the possibility of using tyrocidines in CL-based protective packaging for spoilable produce. The retained activity against the other synthetic polymer matrices is a good indication of the potential of these cyclic decapeptides to act as solid state sterilisation agents, with a multitude of applications in medicine and industry.

Stability of Peptide Treated Matrices

[0110] The CL filters were selected for further stability tests based on the results which showed that Trc best adsorbed to it and maintained activity on these filters over time, with more than 80% of the original activity maintained after 18 months.

[0111] Stability of the Trc activity on the CL filters was tested with multiple washes, pH changes, different solvents and temperature changes of the incubation solution. It was found that there was no statistical difference between the 12 washes based on the haemolytic activity of the filters. Regarding the antibacterial activity against M. luteus, only one sample, of the three filter disks used for each wash step, with bacterial colonies (10 CFUs on 100 mm filter disk) was observed for filters in washes 1, 4 and 6-12.

[0112] The retained activity of the CL filters treated with Trc proved to be remarkably robust, with near full retention of both the indicator haemolytic activity and antibacterial activity over pH 1-11 (FIG. 5A). The change in pH showed only a statistically significant decrease in haemolytic activity of the pH 13-treated filter compared to the other pH-treated filters (FIG. 5A). The antibacterial activity against M. luteus showed only one sample of the three filter disks challenged at each of pH 9, 11, 13 with bacterial colonies (10 CFUs on 100 mm filter disk). Slight deterioration of filter integrity was observed at pH 11 and pH 13. There was no statistically significant difference observed for the haemolytic activity or antibacterial activity by the high temperature wash challenge and of Trc-treated filters (FIG. 5B). The sterilising activity of the CL filter also remained stable with salt, dilute acid and organic solvent washes (FIG. 6). The only solvents that did influence the activity were 50% acetonitrile and the highly basic 1% TEA, which led to an about 40% loss of activity.

[0113] The stability tests indicate that tyrocidines remain adsorbed to the cellulose filter and maintain activity regardless of changes in pH and temperature, as well as after multiple wash steps with water, salt, dilute acid and organic solvent.

[0114] The composition of the invention provides a natural alternative with robust solid state antimicrobial character to industrial disinfection agents, without the detrimental side effects associated therewith.