This diploma thesis deals with the applicability of thermal analysis in the influence of stress factors on microorganisms. The main aim of the presented work was to design and implement a series of experiments to thest the usability of advanced methods of thermal analysis in the characterization of microorganisms. Two bacterial strains were used as model organisms: Cupriavidus necator H16 and its mutant strain Cupriavidus necator PHB-4, which differs in the ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates. The basic technique used thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which was optimized and applied in the study of water transport, behavior and determination of intracellular water content with respect to the influence of the presence of intracellular PHB granules. The results of this method were subsequently supported by TEM photos.

The presented diploma thesis is focused on preparation of nanoparticles and nanofibres with natural UV filters. Liposomes with encapsulated aqueous, ethanol and lipid extracts were prepared. Nanofibers from PHB containing lipid extract were prepared too. As a part of this work, an overview of natural sources with potential effects as UV filters were introduced. Moreover, nanoparticles and nanofibers and methods of their characterization were described. Size, polydisperse index and colloid stability of prepared nanoparticles were characterized via DLS. In experimental part aqueous, ethanol and lipid extracts were prepared from roasted coffee, green coffee and cascara. These extracts were spectrophotometrically characterized for the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, tannins and their SPF. Liposomes and liposomes containing PHB with these extracts were prepared and the encapsulation effectivity, short–term and long–term stability as well as SPF of nanoparticles were determined. Nanofibers from PHB containing lipid extracts were prepared via electrospinning and forcespinning methods. Prepared nanofibers were examined via FTIR–ATR. Antioxidant activity, short–term and long–term stability were determined spectrophotometrically. From selected nanoparticles, emulsions and gels were prepared and their SPF was also determined. Three types of emulsions with the best SPF were selected and tested on volunteers. Sedimentation stability of emulsions was tested by analytical centrifuge. Finally, cytotoxicity of selected nanoparticles and nanofibers was tested via MTT assay using human keratinocytes.

This dissertation work deals with the thermic and the mechanical behavior of plasticized bio-plastics and bio-composites for the 3D printing applications. The influence of plasticizer chemical structure on thermic and mechanical properties of plasticized polymeric blends from the poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and the poly lactic acid was investigated. Used plasticizers are based on derivative of citric acid. The influence of plasticizers on polymeric matrix and their compatibility was estimated by gear torque rate of melt mixer, respectively rate of plasticizer migration from the material during higher temperature. The plasticizer structure influence on the glass transition temperature and on the kinetics of crystallization of plasticized material was investigated by modulated differential scanning calorimetry. The behavior of material during 3D printing was also observed. Mechanical properties of printed samples, especially their elongation at break, were determined by tensile tests. The largest softening effect was observed using tributylcitrate plasticizer, where the glass temperature decreased by 35 °C and elongation at break increased by 150% compared to non-plasticized reference material. This plasticized polymeric blend showed also sufficient 3D printing properties and was used as the matrix for composites in the next part of this work. Composites were filled by kaolin, limestone, halloysit, fumed silica, talc, magnesium hydroxide and chopped flax fibers. Particle distribution in composites in dependence of used surface treatment of filler was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The influence of composite filler on rheological properties, crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of composites, was observed by viscometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Their mechanical properties and heat deflection temperature were observed on samples prepared by 3D print. Kaolin in composite material showed homogeneous particle distribution and insignificant nucleation effect and influence on thermic stability. Composite filled by kaolin also showed 18% smaller warping during 3D printing compared to non-filled reference. Consequently kaolin was evaluated as suitable inorganic filler for bioplastic composite intended for 3D print and this composite was used in the following part of this thesis. Method of mathematical prediction of Young's modulus was described for composite samples prepared by 3D print. Composites filled by one type of filler – kaolin, or limestone, resp. by combination of both fillers were investigated on the basis of the micromechanic Halpin-Tsai model modified by the semiempiric multiparametric Cerny's equation. Additive and combinational method of Young's modulus evaluation is used for composites with hybrid filling. Deflection of measured and theoretical Young's modulus value of composite filled with kaolin was decreased by established correction from 21% to 1% and for composites filled with limestone from 13% to 9%. In this manner it is possible to predict the Young's modulus of the samples prepared by 3D print.

Předložená diplomová práce se zabývá produkcí polyhydroxyalkanoátů (PHA) bakterií Cupriavidus necator H16. Cílem práce byla příprava, selekce a charakterizace mutantních kmenů schopných vyšší produkce PHA. V teoretické části byla zpracována literární rešerše zabývající se nejdůležitějšími typy PHA, bakterií Cupriavidus necator a způsoby indukce mutageneze. V experimentální části byly připraveny mutantní kmeny pomocí fyzikální a chemické mutageneze. Mutantní kmeny schopné nadprodukce PHA byly selektovány pomocí kultivace na minerálním médium s olejem. Pro další studium byly vybrány 4 mutantní kmeny schopné nadprodukce PHA. Tyto mutantní kmeny byly dále podrobeny biochemické charakterizaci. Byly naměřeny specifické aktivity vybraných intracelulárních enzymů včetně enzymů podílejících se na biosyntéze PHA. Také byla naměřena resistence mutantů vůči oxidačnímu stresu. Bylo zjištěno, že mutantní kmeny schopné nadprodukce PHA mají vyšší aktivity enzymů produkujících NADPH. NADPH je jeden z klíčových substrátů ovlivňujících směr toku acetyl-CoA metabolizmem. Vyšší intracelulární koncentrace NADPH parciálně inhibuje Krebsův cyklus a aktivuje akumulaci PHA. Aktivity acetoacetyl-CoA reduktázy a PHA syntázy, enzymů zapojených do syntézy PHA, těchto mutantů proto byly také vyšší stejně jako molekulová hmotnost připravených polymerů. Aplikace fyzikálních a chemických mutagenů je způsob, kterým lze připravit biotechnologicky perspektivní mutantní kmeny schopné nadprodukce PHA.

Presented work was focused on biodegradability of bacterial natural and modified polyesters and their composites. The first part of the work was focused on study of influence of PHA granules structure on their biodegradability using selected enzymes and influence of physiological conditions on PHA stability. Overall, tested polymer either in crytalinne or amorphous phase seems to be rezistent to attack of seleced hydrolytic enzymes such as lipases or proteases and is stable in simulated physiological fluids as well. Because of thies results, it is possible to use tested PHA materials in biomedical applications requiring rather resistant biomaterials. Second part of the work was focused on microbial degradation of modified PHA materials considering their potential environmental impact. Both mixed thermophillic culture originaly used in wastewater treatment plant and bacterial strain Delftia acidovorans were employed for biodegradation tests. Composites containing chlorine PHB and PHB films modified using plasticizers were tested. Films containing chlorine PHB cause inhibition of biomass growth to both tested cultures. The highest rate of degradation (31%) was observed in presence of bacterial culture with film containing 10% chlorine PHB. The results show that used microbial population is important factor affecting biodegradability.

The presented diploma thesis is focused on the preparation of new materials with antimicrobial effect. Liposomes and nanofibers from polyhydroxybutyrate containing clotrimazole and natural extracts with good antifungal and antioxidant effects were prepared. The theoretical part contains examples and short description of using nanoparticles and nanofibers in cosmetics and medicine and the description of plants which have positive and potential antimycotic effects. Moreover, methods for particles and fibers characterisation were shortly described. In the experimental part, natural water and lipid extracts were prepared and spectrophotometrically characterised for the content of polyphenols, flavonoids and the antioxidant activity. Liposomes and liposomes containtng PHB were prepared from selected extracts and the encapsulation effectivity, shortterm and longterm stability via determination of polyphenols were determined. Prepared particles were characterized with DLS method (size) and zeta- potential (stability). PHB nanofibers functionalised with selected lipid extracts and clotrimazole were prepared via electrospinning and forcespinning, and examined via FLIM and FTIR-ATR methods and spectrophotometry was used for antioxidant activity and release of active substances determination. Antifungal properties of prepared particles, extracts and fibers using the test system Candida glabrata were studied. Finally, cytotoxicity of selected samples was tested with MTT assay using human keratinocytes.

The presented diploma thesis deals with the optimalisation of preparation and the preparation of combined nanostructured antimicrobial biomaterials itself. In the theoretical part, a review focused on used materials and consequently preparation of nanoparticles and nanofibers was elaborated. Furthermore, the used antimicrobial substances – curcumin and ampicillin, and the principle of cytotoxicity assay were described.In practical part the optimalisation process is described. Furthermore the safety of prepared materials and used antimicrobial substances on HaCaT cell line was tested, in order to confirm their possible further use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Great part of the thesis deals with evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of used substances and prepared combined nanomaterials on multiple microorganisms from grampositive bacteria, gramnegative bacteria and yeasts. Also the release speed of antimicrobial substances from prepared nanomaterials was determined by spectrophotometer. The amount of released ampicillin from prepared nanomaterials was determined by liquid chromatography.

The aim of this work is to study the possibility of microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHA can be used as biodegradable materials. Bacterial strain Cupriavidus necator was used for laboratory production of PHA. This bacterium was cultivated in medium with various precursors to produce copolymers of 3HB with 3HV or 4HB. Another part of the work was aimed at cultivation of C. necator on different waste substrates, especially oils, with the aim to achieve the highest production of polymer. Another large part of the thesis is dedicated to isolation strategies of PHA using enzymes. Commercially used proteases – alcalase and pancreatin – can be used with advantages for digestion of bacterial cells. A number of optimization experiments showed that application of proteases leads to enhancement of PHA purity to about 13%. Purity increase up to 90 % was achieved by adding a surfactant, which promotes the solubility of non-PHA forming polymer. This surfactant increases the purity of 20 % when compared to control. The last part of presented work deals with the use of enzyme solution isolated from Bacillus subtilis medium. Its application to C. necator culture led to the yield of polymer at a purity exceeding 95 %. These results could represent the basis for new isolation strategies, which can lead to more efficient yield of PHA.

The thesis was focused on the preparation and optimization of the preparation of wound dressing from materials with bioactive ingredients. In this work were prepared nanofiber dressings based on polyhydroxybutyrate and non-fibrous dressings from alginate and chitosan. Nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and forcespinning methods. The bioactive components, which were used to functionalize the prepared dressings, were plant extracts, clotrimazole, ampicillin, lysozyme, and proteolytic enzymes. The theoretical part is focused on the description of the use of nanofibrous and non-fibrous materials in medicine, characterization of materials for the production of wound dressings and bioactive components. Furthermore, this section describes the methods used to prepare and characterize wound dressings. In the practical part were prepared aqueous and oil extracts from selected plants. Extracts were characterized for polyphenols content and antioxidant activity. PHB-based nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning and forcepinning methods. Nanofibers were enriched with selected plant oil extracts and clotrimazol. Modified nanofibres were detemined for antioxidant activity, short-term and long-term stability. Non-fibrous wound dressings were prepared from alginate and chitosan. These dressings were functionalized by the addition of selected aqueous extracts, ampicillin, lysozyme, papain, bromelain, and collagenase. Non-fibrous wound dressings were determined for antioxidant activity, short-term stability and proteolytic activity. The prepared wound dressings were tested for their antimicrobial effects on cultures of Micrococcus luteus, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, successfully prepared bioactive wound dressings with antioxidant and antimicrobial agents were tested for safety on human cells. The determination was performed using the MTT cytotoxicity test on human keratinocytes.

This master thesis deals with polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their role in bacterial biofilms. In the theoretical part the polyhydroxyalkanoates, bacterial biofilm and the relationship between them were reviewed. The experimental part focused on differences in PHA production by planktonic and biofilm cells. In order to study selected topic, bacterial strains of Burkholderia cepacia and Burkholderia sacchari were cultivated using a CDC biofilm reactor. The attention was paid to quantity and especially to the form in which PHA occurs in planktonic and biofilm cells. Results of Raman spectroscopy have shown that PHA exists exclusively in native amorphous form in planktonic bacterial cells. On the other hand, in biofilm PHA occurs also in a partially crystalline form. In addition, the resistance of planktonic and biofilm cells against various stress factors and the effect of osmotic stress on PHA production was tested too. According to the results of the experiment, when the bacteria were exposed to different stress factors (high temperature, low temperature, presence of detergent and so forth) biofilm cells showed a higher stress resistance than planktonic cells. Apart from slowing cell growth and reproduction, increased osmotic pressure in the culture medium also caused decrease of PHA production. In addition, planktonic cells responded to external stimuli more sensitively than biofilm ones.