Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan/Sericin Composite Blend Membranes Containing Silver Nanoparticles for Effective Antibacterial Applications

• Published in: ChemistrySelect (Weinheim) 2024-10, Vol.9 (40), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Niyaz, Zeynep, Gök, Zehra Gün
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blend membrane; Chitosan; Functional materials; Silk sericin; Silver nanoparticles
• ISSN: 2365-6549; 2365-6549
• DOI: 10.1002/slct.202403514

Due to drug‐resistant bacteria, antimicrobial composite materials that will replace antibiotics are among the current research topics. In this study, environmentally‐friendly, low‐cost, easy‐to‐synthesize chitosan/silk sericin/silver nanoparticles (Cht/SS/AgNPs) membranes were obtained for use in antibacterial applications. For material synthesis, firstly, AgNPs were obtained by mixing solution of 2 % sericin (at pH 11)‐10 mM AgNO3 at 100 °C with hydrothermal method and AgNPs formation was confirmed by UV‐Vis measurements. Then, sericin/AgNPs solution was added to chitosan solutions at different ratios and Cht/SS/AgNPs composites were obtained by solvent casting method. The final forms of the membranes were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Water retention capacities and mechanical properties of the membranes were also determined. Finally, antibacterial and biocompatibility properties were evaluated by disc diffusion test method on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and MTT on L929 fibroblast cell line, respectively. The obtained membranes had homogeneous appearance, high swelling ratios, good mechanical properties. The composites also showed excellent antibacterial activity, especially on S. aureus and good biocompatibility. In summary, Cht/SS/AgNPs composites can be used as an alternative polymeric antibacterial materials especially as the wound‐dressing materials or functional packaging materials. In this study, chitosan/silk sericin/silver nanoparticles composite membranes with multifunctional biological purposes were prepared with solvent casting procedure. The obtained membranes were characterized using UV‐visible Spectroscopy, FT‐IR, FE‐SEM and TGA analysis. Water retention capacities and mechanical properties were also evaluated. Then finally antibacterial activity against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria and biocompatibility was screened by MTT on L929 cells.