Remarkable enhancement of cinnamaldehyde antimicrobial activity encapsulated in capped mesoporous nanoparticles: A new “nanokiller” approach in the era of antimicrobial resistance

A nanodevice containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with essential oil (cinnamaldehyde) and functionalized with polypeptide ε-poly-l-lysine is developed to combat antimicrobial resistance. The device enhances cinnamaldehyde delivery through a biocontrolled uncapping mechanism triggered by proteolytic enzymes. The nanodevice improves cinnamaldehyde efficacy by 52-fold for Escherichia coli, 60-fold for S. aureus, and 7-fold for C. albicans, due to decreased volatility and increased local concentration when released.