Coffee-Based Nanotechnology Developed at IPN Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant Hospital Superbug

Researchers at CIBA Tlaxcala combine coffee extract and nanotechnology to develop a potential alternative for combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

As antibiotic resistance continues to threaten global public health, researchers at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) have developed an innovative nanotechnology-based strategy that could offer a promising alternative for treating infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa—one of the world's most dangerous drug-resistant pathogens, identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical priority bacterium.

The technology, developed at the Center for Research in Applied Biotechnology (CIBA) Tlaxcala, combines two naturally derived antimicrobial agents: coffee extract, which is rich in bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid, and chitosan, a biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic biopolymer obtained from natural sources.

Nanoparticles Enhance Antimicrobial Activity

The project is led by Marlon Rojas López, Ph.D., in collaboration with Jessica Andrea Hernández Celis, M.Sc., and a Ph.D. candidate in Biotechnology. Their research focuses on developing new therapeutic alternatives to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Rojas López explained that the team encapsulated coffee extract within chitosan nanoparticles using nanotechnology techniques to enhance its antibacterial activity and prolong the release of its active compounds.

These nanoparticles function as microscopic capsules that protect the coffee extract and gradually release it upon contact with bacterial cells.

"This mechanism allows us to harness the antimicrobial properties of both chitosan and the coffee extract simultaneously, creating a synergistic effect that strengthens bacterial inhibition and enhances the treatment's therapeutic potential," he explained.

Up to 99 Percent Bacterial Inhibition

According to Hernández Celis, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the nanoparticles inhibited up to 99 percent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, opening a promising avenue for future research.

She noted that the study was motivated by a growing international healthcare concern. Pseudomonas aeruginosa primarily affects hospitalized patients, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults, causing infections that are often extremely difficult to treat because of the bacterium's ability to develop resistance to multiple antibiotics.

Its threat has increased substantially in recent years, with many strains now classified as multidrug-resistant or even pan-resistant, meaning they survive nearly all currently available treatments. This situation has intensified the search for innovative therapeutic strategies capable of complementing—or eventually replacing—conventional antibiotics.

Harnessing the Power of Natural Compounds

To address this challenge, the IPN researchers turned to coffee extract because its chlorogenic acids interfere with bacterial growth and reproduction. Nanotechnology enhances these natural antimicrobial properties by protecting the bioactive compounds and enabling their controlled release precisely where they are needed.

Rojas López explained that the chitosan nanocapsules act as controlled drug-delivery vehicles.

"These microscopic structures transport the coffee extract within their core. Once they come into contact with the bacteria, they gradually degrade, releasing the active compounds while simultaneously exerting their own antimicrobial action."

The combination produces a synergistic effect. Chitosan disrupts the bacterial cell wall, causing structural damage, while the progressively released coffee extract inhibits bacterial reproduction, significantly enhancing the treatment's overall effectiveness.

Research Highlight: Laboratory studies showed that the nanoparticles inhibited up to 99 percent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including strains resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Successful Laboratory Evaluation

Hernández Celis explained that the nanoparticles were tested against multiple strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which had previously been evaluated for susceptibility to the 12 antibiotics most commonly used against the bacterium. This enabled the researchers to identify strains with varying resistance profiles and determine which posed the greatest clinical risk.

The nanoparticles were subsequently evaluated against six bacterial strains through in vitro experiments using liquid cultures, Petri dishes, and other controlled laboratory systems. Different nanoparticle concentrations were tested over exposure periods of 24 and 48 hours.

The researchers described the results as highly encouraging. The nanoparticles inhibited between 95 and 99 percent of bacterial growth while maintaining their effectiveness for up to 48 hours. Remarkably, all bacterial strains responded positively to the treatment despite exhibiting different levels of antibiotic resistance.

One of the study's most significant findings was the consistency of the response across the different bacterial variants. According to the research team, this suggests that the technology could have broader applications rather than being effective only against specific strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nanotechnology at the Core of the Innovation

Nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in this development. According to the researchers, encapsulation protects the coffee's bioactive compounds from degradation by gastric acids while enabling their gradual release, thereby increasing their bioavailability and enhancing their therapeutic potential.

At the same time, the research team is pursuing a second strategy based on gold nanoparticles combined with coffee extract. Although this line of research remains under development, it could eventually lead to topical treatments for wounds, burns, and other skin infections in which this bacterium poses a persistent threat, explained the IPN scientist.

Looking ahead, the researchers envision incorporating these technologies into formulations such as gels, creams, and antimicrobial coatings designed to prevent hospital-acquired infections and promote the recovery of patients with complex wounds or conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers.

Hernández Celis emphasized that, although the findings have so far been limited to laboratory studies, the next phase will involve testing the treatment in a murine model to evaluate its safety and efficacy under conditions that more closely resemble clinical practice. The team will also conduct cytotoxicity studies and continue the scientific validation process.

The researcher, who holds Level II membership in Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII), estimated that, like most medical innovations, the project will require several more years of development. However, because it is based on natural resources and biodegradable materials, he stressed the importance of advancing the technology through regulatory review, patent protection, and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

"If progress continues at its current pace, we could have a new alternative in the medium term to address a problem recognized as a global public health priority. This research demonstrates the potential of nanotechnology to develop more effective solutions against increasingly resistant microorganisms," he said.

Rojas López emphasized that beyond its promising laboratory results, the project illustrates the impact that science developed in Mexico can have when it is directed toward solving real-world challenges. At a time when antimicrobial resistance is undermining the effectiveness of numerous medical treatments, innovative approaches such as this offer a promising path toward strengthening the tools available to combat the infections of the future.