Preparation, optimization, and characterization of chitosan-sepiolite nanocomposite films for wound healing.

In this study, a series of chitosan-sepiolite (CS-SEP) nanocomposites films were prepared by using a conventional solution casting method. The effect of sepiolite on physicochemical and biological properties of the prepared nanocomposite films was studied by various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to name a few. In WCA measurements, the decrease of contact angle from 78.51° (CS) to 71.29° (CS7SEP3) reaffirms the water holding nature of sepiolite, which enables to create moist environment essentially required for wound healing. Further, addition of sepiolite tremendously increased WVTR, folding endurance, porosity, and blood clotting ability of the prepared nanocomposites. Furthermore, CS-SEP nanocomposite films exhibit better antibacterial activity than that of chitosan against gram positive (B. subtilis) and gram negative bacteria (E. coli). Moreover, the percentage of hemolysis and degradation study indicated that the prepared nanocomposite films were non-hemolytic in nature and decomposed nearly 40% in four weeks. In addition, cytotoxicity assay showed that the prepared nanocomposite film i.e. CS7SEP3 exhibited better cell viability and cell proliferation rate against L929 mouse fibroblast cells as compared to CS and hence, the prepared nanocomposite film can be used as a promising candidate for wound management.

Development and in vitro characterization of chitosan/starch/halloysite nanotubes ternary nanocomposite films.

In this present study, ternary nanocomposite films of chitosan/starch/halloysite nanotubes (ChSHT) were fabricated by solution casting process. The ternary nanocomposite films were characterized by using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), water contact angle, water absorption capacity, water solubility, folding endurance, tensile strength, elongation at break, thickness, porosity, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), and hemocompatibility. FTIR and XRD results confirmed the interaction of halloysite nanotubes with chitosan-starch (ChS) solution. Further, the ChSHT ternary nanocomposite films showed improved water absorption capacity, water solubility, and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). Water contact angle measurements also showed that the nanocomposite films were hydrophilic in nature. The hemocompatibility results showed that all the prepared nanocomposite films were non-hemolytic in nature. Furthermore, microbial penetration test showed that all the prepared ternary nanocomposite films were impermeable to bacteria. Considering the above-mentioned results, it is concluded that the ChSHT nanocomposite films could be used as promising wound cover materials.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-bentonite nanocomposite films for wound healing application.

A series of novel chitosan-bentonite nanocomposite (CBN) films were prepared by using solvent casting method for wound healing application. The physicochemical properties namely thickness, folding endurance, water absorption capacity, and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of the films were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to ascertain the interaction between negatively charged bentonite and positively charged chitosan. The surface morphology of the prepared composite films was also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that WVTR, water absorption capacity, thickness, and folding endurance of the CBN films were 1093±20.5-1954±51gm-2day-1, 1232±14.58-1688±18.52, 17.50±5-42.50±9.75µm, and 145.25±2.21-289.50±0.57 respectively. Due to strong hydrophilic nature of bentonite, it greatly enhances the water absorption capacities of the prepared nanocomposite films. In addition, the presence of bentonite in the said films also increases the mechanical strength. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the films was investigated against gram positive and gram negative. It was found that all CBN films showed good inhibitory activity against all the tested bacteria as compared to control. The above analysis suggested that the CBN films could be used as potential candidates for wound healing application.