Novel styrax liquidus loaded chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol cryogels with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, a novel cryogel scaffold loaded with styrax liquidus gum exuded from trank of Anatolian sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.), with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was developed for potential tissue engineering applications. For this purpose, different ratios of styrax incorporated chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol composite scaffolds were fabricated using cryotropic gelation method. The effect of styrax incorporation onto the cryogel network was evaluated using morphological and physico‐chemical analyzes. The characterized cryogels were also investigated in detail for their antioxidant activity, anti‐biofilm, antimicrobial, and DNA cleavage properties. The styrax incorporated cryogels can be candidate biomaterials for tissue engineering applications, in particular for antimicrobial systems due to their ferrous ion chelating activity and high antioxidant, anti‐biofilm, and antimicrobial properties.