MESOPOROUS BIOACTIVE GLASS NANOPARTICLES LOADED WITH MEL-B: A BIFUNCTIONAL PLATFORM FOR BIOMEDICAL AND AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

The use of bioactive materials has significantly advanced in both regenerative medicine and sustainable agriculture. Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs), composed of 70% SiO₂ and 30% CaO, have been extensively studied for their osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. This study explores the modification of MBGNs with mannosylerythritol lipid-B (MEL-B), a biosurfactant with antimicrobial and biostimulatory properties, targeting biomedical and agricultural applications. The MBGNs were synthesized using a modified Sol-gel method, incorporating manganese (Mn) to enhance biological activity. Surface functionalization was achieved using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), facilitating interaction with MEL-B, whose incorporation was optimized through a concentration screening to assess encapsulation efficiency. Characterization of the functionalized MBGNs included Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential analysis, drug release assays, and encapsulation efficiency tests. The results demonstrated that APTES functionalization enhanced MEL-B adsorption, improving nanoparticle stability and enabling controlled bioactive release. The combination of MBGNs and MEL-B exhibited promising antimicrobial and biostimulatory activity, with potential applications in both regenerative medicine and agricultural pathogen control. This study contributes to the development of therapeutic and sustainable platforms, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).