Morphology and antimicrobial properties of Luffa cylindrica fibers/chitosan biomaterial as micro-reservoirs for silver delivery

Abstract

Micro-spongy structure of Luffa cylindrica fibers (LCF) coated with chitosan (CS), called micro-reservoir, seems to be an interesting route to promote local silver particle (Ag) delivery. In the present paper, the morphology and the antimicrobial activity of LCF–CS-Ag micro-reservoir were investigated. The LCF–chitosan material (LCF–CS) was successfully prepared by contacting LCF with hydroxide sodium solution followed by an acetic acid treatment of chitosan. Scanning electron microscopy pictures (SEM–EDX) showed that the LCF surface was strongly modified by the treatment and confirmed the growth of nanoparticles of silver (NpAg) with a size ranging from 20 to 150nm onto and into the surface of the cell-fibers (CF). The LCF–CS and LCF–CS-Ag biomaterials exhibit antibacterial activities as bacteriostasis zone diameters range from 7 to 15mm against Staphylococcus aureus and from 7.3 to 17mm against Escherichia coli. Furthermore, an inhibitory effect was observed for a relatively long period (18days).