Abstract: Described in example embodiments are nanocomposite powders including calcium phosphate and silver nanoparticles on the surface of the calcium phosphate. Other example embodiments, describe methods of forming nanocomposite powders comprising a) preparing a nanometric calcium phosphate by a sol-gel processing route; and b) depositing silver nanoparticles on the calcium phosphate surface. Compositions including nanocomposite powders and uses of those compositions are also described.

Abstract: Described in example embodiments are nanocomposite powders including calcium phosphate and silver nanoparticles on the surface of the calcium phosphate. Other example embodiments, describe methods of forming nanocomposite powders comprising a) preparing a nanometric calcium phosphate by a sol-gel processing route; and b) depositing silver nanoparticles on the calcium phosphate surface. Compositions including nanocomposite powders and uses of those compositions are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polyenes having formula (I), wherein: R1 represents alkyl C1-C3; and R2 represents a functional group selected from CH3— or CONH2— (methyl- or primary amide-). The aforementioned polyenes have a biocide action on organisms comprising cell membranes that contain ergosterol, e.g., fungi or parasites. Said compounds can be obtained using a method that consists in cultivating a producing micro-organism under conditions that enable the production thereof. In addition, the invention also relates to a mechanism for the in vitro production of amidated polyenes, consisting in incubating carboxylated polyenes with cell-free extracts (or proteinaceous fractions) of the producers of same in the presence of ATP/Mg++ and an amide- group donor compound (preferably glutamine).