Development and antimicrobial evaluation of genetically engineered protein-based/essential oil composites

Abstract

[Excerpt] The current trend in several areas of medical investigation is the search for new versatile, biocompatible and biodegradable materials to solve the more diverse problems. Advances in recombinant technologies currentlyallow the creation of several protein biopolymers, amongst which are the silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs). These protein block copolymers combine in the same polypeptide chain the remarkable mechanical and biological properties of both elastin and silk proteins and can processed into various structures, like free standing films, fibres and particles. [...]