Preparation and characterization of gelatin-gallic acid/ZnO nanocomposite with antibacterial properties as a promising multi-functional bioadhesive for wound dressing applications

Abstract

It has been a great challenge to develop suitable tissue adhesives that can be efficient on wet internal tissues with acceptable adhesion strength and biocompatibility. It has been demonstrated that certain mussel adhesive proteins, such as the catechol group of dihydroxyphenylalanine (l- DOPA) and its analogs, along with the surface roughness of some nanoparticles, can improve the adhesiveness characteristics to any substrate. To this end, we have devised the functionalization of gelatin with gallic acid (GA, l-DOPA analogue) and in turn, the formation of a cross-linked network with an organosilane (GPTMS) to obtain an efficient bioadhesive material. To provide a bacterium–free environment that improves the healing process, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) were incorporated into the Gelatin-catechol matrix at 1 and 3 wt%. The obtained nanocomposite materials were characterized by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their mechanical and adhesive properties, swelling, hydrolytic degradation, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated. According to the obtained results, the nanocomposite material mechanical and biological properties are significantly affected by the addition of ZnO nanoparticles. These nanocomposites show excellent antimicrobial properties particularly at 3 wt% of ZnO NPs while the adhesive properties are increased when adding 1 wt% of these ZnO NPs. Thus, the novelty of this research is focused in the production of a Gelatin-Gallic acid/ZnO nanocomposite material with a notorious adhesion performance combined with enhanced antimicrobial properties, which offer significant promise as materials for wounds and burns dressing applications.