Hyaluronan biofilms reinforced with partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers: Extraction, fabrication, in-vitro and antibacterial properties of advanced nanocomposites

Abstract

Fabrication of nanocomposite biofilms with enhanced mechanical and antibacterial properties was successfully achieved from hyaluronan (HA) and partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers (ChNWs) by a casting-evaporation method. The hydrolysis process of chitin showed an important role in the dimensions, stability, and the crystallinity of extracted ChNWs in a time-dependent manner. The volume fraction of ChNWs nanofiller varying from (0.001 to 0.5) exhibited a great influence on the mechanical properties of the biofilms (young modulus, strength) was enhanced by the high load-bearing capacity of NWs compared with net HA film. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite biofilms exhibited significant bactericidal activity against different types of bacteria (−/+ gram). HA/ChNWs Nanocomposite biofilms did not show any toxicity against normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and human primary osteogenic sarcoma (Saos-2) cell lines. The new biofilms with unique properties like edibleness, environmental friendliness, high mechanical properties, antibacterial performance, and non-cytotoxicity that could be used in skin tissue regenerations, and drug delivery applications.