Chitosan/Gelatin/Starch-Based Films Plasticized with Olive Oil and Aloe-Vera Extract as a Potential Wound Dressing

Abstract

In this study a polymeric film based on chitosan (CS), gelatin (GL) and potato starch (ST) was prepared and the effect of sesame oil (SO) and Aloe-Vera extract (AVE) on the physical and mechanical properties of the control film, as well as its antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity, were investigated. The swelling and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) results indicated that SO and AVE reduced the amount of swelling and the WVTR of the samples. The mechanical tests showed that SO and AVE, or even any combination of them, had a plasticizing effect on the prepared films. According to the antibacterial results, adding SO or AVE to the film forming solutions had no considerable effect on the antibacterial activity of the sample against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, while the combination of these two additives to the films made their activity increase. The results of the cytotoxicity tests exhibited the growth of the fibroblast cells after 7 days of incubation, showing that the films containing SO or AVE or the combination of both additives were nontoxic and never caused cell death.