Fabrication and Characterization of Fungal Chitosan-SAP Membranes for Hemostatic Application

Abstract

Novel membranes were fabricated from fungal chitosan (Cs) and starch based super absorbent polymer (SAP) for hemostatic application. The commercial production of Cs through alkaline deacetylation of crustacean chitin includes many drawbacks. Fungal Cs production, by a more eco-compatible technique, has become an alternative source for the traditional one. In this study, the production of fungal Cs was executed in a bioreactor from the mycelia of Absidia coerulea. The maximum obtained fungal Cs was 0.55 g/L after 48 h. The fabrication of Cs-SAP membranes was approached subsequently using two methods, physical blend of two polymers, and Cs-SAP sub-layer. To evaluate the homeostatic effect of Cs – SAP membranes on blood, erythrocyte sedimentation test was conducted in vitro. Since increasing the Cs concentration from 0.5 to 2 % w/v in the fabricated Cs – SAP membranes, reduces the erythrocyte sedimentation time from 69.8 to 62.3 min, respectively, while increasing the concentration of SAP (0.12-0.5 % w/v) has less or no significant effect on erythrocyte sedimentation time. Sub-layered 2L8 membrane significantly reduced ESR (P< 0.05) by 22%, while physically blended 11B8 membrane diminished ESR by only 12% compared to the control. Furthermore, these membranes were investigated by FT-IR, SEM, tensile, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. Chitosan-SAP membranes can be described as bio-membranes with a homogeneous matrix, stable structure and interesting mechanical properties, with great possibilities of utilization in hemostasis. Keywords: Biopolymers, fungal chitosan, hemostasis, mechanical properties, membranes, superabsorbent.