Abstract
Chitosan nanofiber membranes are recognized as functional antimicrobial materials, as they can effectively provide a barrier that guides tissue growth and supports healing. Methods to stabilize nanofibers in aqueous solutions include acylation with fatty acids. Modification with fatty acids that also have antimicrobial and biofilm-resistant properties may be particularly beneficial in tissue regeneration applications. This study investigated the ability to customize the fatty acid attachment by acyl chlorides to include antimicrobial 2-decenoic acid. Synthesis of 2-decenoyl chloride was followed by acylation of electrospun chitosan membranes in pyridine. Physicochemical properties were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, FTIR, contact angle, and thermogravimetric analysis. The ability of membranes to resist biofilm formation by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was evaluated by direct inoculation. Cytocompatibility was evaluated by adding membranes to cultures of NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. Acylation with chlorides stabilized nanofibers in aqueous media without significant swelling of fibers and increased hydrophobicity of the membranes. Acyl-modified membranes reduced both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacterial biofilm formation on membrane while also supporting fibroblast growth. Acylated chitosan membranes may be useful as wound dressings, guided regeneration scaffolds, local drug delivery, or filtration.
Highlights
Chitosan is considered a promising therapeutic delivery agent due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and inherent antimicrobial activity [1,2]
Electrospun chitosan membranes are of particular interest for biomedical applications due to their porous nanofibers and high surface area that mimics the extracellular matrix
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is one of the most commonly used solvents for electrospinning chitosan membranes because it provides adequate viscosity for the polymer solution to be pulled into nanofibers [6,16]
Summary
Chitosan is considered a promising therapeutic delivery agent due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and inherent antimicrobial activity [1,2]. A study found that fatty acid incorporated chitosan can improve mucoadhesive properties in a self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery system [8]. The length of the fatty acyl chain incorporated through O-acylation can control the chitosan nanofiber’s crystal structure It improves its stability in the moist environment while maintaining its non-toxic property and has shown promise for regenerating bone in guided bone regeneration (GBR) applications in rodent models [12,13,14]. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is one of the most commonly used solvents for electrospinning chitosan membranes because it provides adequate viscosity for the polymer solution to be pulled into nanofibers [6,16] Despite this benefit, TFA forms a salt with chitosan’s amino groups, requiring removal without compromising the nanofibrous structure or deteriorating the membrane’s mechanical properties. This study determined physicochemical properties, antimicrobial properties, and cytocompatibility of acyl-modified chitosan nanofibers [21]
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