Amount Of Chitosan Research Articles

Cinnamaldehyde release behavior of Pickering emulsion synergistically stabilized by Sapindus mukorossi modified palygorskite and chitosan

Most of the studies are committed to explore the natural green stabilizer or bio-stabilizer to design biocompatible Pickering emulsion, while few works focus on developing a dynamic interfacial regulatory effect for the slow-release of active molecules from Pickering emulsion. Herein, Pickering emulsion was fabricated for the controlled release of cinnamaldehyde, which was synergistically stabilized by palygorskite modified with the active ingredients leached from Sapindus mukorossi and chitosan. The results showed that the interfacial cross-linking between chitosan and cinnamaldehyde took place at the oil-water interface based on the formation of Schiff base, while the modified palygorskite was adsorbed onto the oil-water interface to co-stabilize Pickering emulsion. The simulated gastrointestinal experiment indicated that the emulsion was stable in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) of pH 1.5, and then destroyed in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) of pH 6.8 to realize the continuous release of cinnamaldehyde, where the amount of chitosan played a vital role. Furthermore, the antibacterial test showed that the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was almost completely suppressed when the concentration of Pickering emulsion was 25 µL/mL. Therefore, this study developed a facile strategy to regulate the controlled release of cinnamaldehyde based on green Pickering emulsion.

Preliminary study of synthesis and characterization of biodegradable avocado seed starch-chitosan plastic with glycerol plasticizer

Mechanical characteristics were studied for biodegradable plastics derived from avocado seed starch, emphasizing the influence of chitosan and glycerol. The extraction of starch from avocado seeds began with filtration. Different amounts of glycerol and chitosan were added to the extracted starch of up to 3% by weight. Because this method just uses distilled water instead of chemical chemicals, it was highly environmentally friendly. Tensile testing was done on the generated samples to assess the mechanical properties of this bioplastic; the results indicated that the samples’ elongation rates ranged from 21.9% to 134.7%. In spite of this, the bioplastic showed a comparatively low tensile strength, peaking at 3,381 MPa when chitosan-starch ratio was 2:1 and 1.5% glycerol was added.

Sodium ampicillin release from biocompatible hydrogel with enhanced antibacterial characteristics

The goal of this research is to develop an intelligent carrier that can control the release of medications in response to particular triggers. A novel carrier was created by combining different amounts of chitosan and polyvinylalcohal along with specific amount of cinnamon extract to enhance the antibacterial response of the prepared hydrogels. A non-hazardous crosslinker 3-Aminopropyl(diethoxy)methylsilane (3-APDEMS) was used to study its effect on the physical and chemical properties of the produced injectable hydrogels as well as the controlled drug release behaviour. The hydrogels swelling behaviour was assessed in a range of solvent environments and the results indicated that the swelling ratio decreased as the concentration of 3-APDEMS rose. The hydrogels showed the most swelling at acidic pH values and the least swelling at basic and neutral pH values. They are appropriate for use in injectable controlled medication delivery systems due to their unique pH-sensitive characteristic at pH 7.To evaluate its release profile in this particular setting, ampicillin sodium salt was effectively added to the best hydrogel formulation (which contained 100 μL cinnamon extract and 150 μL 3-APDEMS).The results showed that the release of ampicillin sodium (AMS) was regulated in PBS (7.4), reached up to 98.236 % release over 90 min.The utilisation of these hydrogels as a cutting-edge material for physiological pH-controlled injectable medication delivery and other biological applications is supported by these results.

Enhanced CO2 Capture Potential of Chitosan-Based Composite Beads by Adding Activated Carbon from Coffee Grounds and Crosslinking with Epichlorohydrin.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture has been identified as a potential technology for reducing the anthropic emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly in post-combustion processes. The development of adsorbents for carbon capture and storage is expanding at a rapid rate. This article presents a novel sustainable synthesis method for the production of chitosan/activated carbon CO2 adsorbents. Chitosan is a biopolymer that is naturally abundant and contains amino groups (-NH2), which are required for the selective adsorption of CO2. Spent coffee grounds have been considered as a potential feedstock for the synthesis of activated coffee grounds through carbonization and chemical activation. The chitosan/activated coffee ground composite microspheres were created using the emulsion cross-linking method with epichlorohydrin. The effects of the amount of chitosan (15, 20, and 25 g), activated coffee ground (10, 20, 30, and 40%w/w), and epichlorohydrin (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 g) were examined. The CO2 capture potential of the composite beads is superior to that of the neat biopolymer beads. The CO2 adsorbed of synthesized materials at a standard temperature and pressure is improved by increasing the quantity of activated coffee ground and epichlorohydrin. These findings suggest that the novel composite bead has the potential to be applied in CO2 separation applications.

Preparation of chitosan resin by two-step crosslinking method and its adsorption for palladium in wastewater

To preserve the activity of amine groups on chitosan, chitosan resin (CR) was synthesized using the reversed-phase suspension two-step crosslinking method for the adsorption of palladium from wastewater. The effects of varying the amounts of chitosan, liquid paraffin, ethyl acetate, formaldehyde solution, and epichlorohydrin on the adsorption capacity of CR were investigated using both single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. The preparation conditions for the chitosan resin were optimized, and its adsorption properties were systematically evaluated. The results indicated that CR exhibited a high saturated adsorption capacity for palladium, reaching 195.22 mg·g−1. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, while the adsorption isotherms were well described by the Sips model. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Furthermore, CR maintained exceptional stability, with a palladium removal efficiency exceeding 99.8 % even after eight adsorption-desorption cycles. The primary adsorption mechanism is attributed to the interaction between palladium ions and the protonated amino groups of the chitosan resin.

Intelligent industry-oriented oro-solid formulation of famotidine: Advanced statistical optimization and Ex-Vivo characterization

BackgroundSol-Gel is the conventional approach for in-situ formulation having several limitations, including instability, stringent storage conditions, dose inaccuracy, inconsistent drug release, and patient inconvenience. ObjectivesThe aim of the present investigation was to design and characterize an intelligent oro-solid in-situ targeted dosage form of Famotidine (FTD) incorporating the cross-linked chitosan-vanillin (CrL-CSV) which instantly converted into a gel upon contact with acidic media. Material and MethodsCrL-CSV was designed using microwave-assisted method inculcating FTD and vanillin (VNL). Interaction was observed using FTIR and DSC. QbD was applied to develop intelligent formulation. Taguchi design was accomplished to screen significant critical material attributes (CMAs) and process parameters (CPPs). Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to correlate the CMAs/CPPs: the amount of CS, VNL, microwave time, and critical quality attributes (CQAs): % FTD release, mucoadhesive strength, and viscosity. CrL-CSV were evaluated using various in-vitro, ex-vivo characterization and stability. Results and DiscussionFTIR and DSC revealed no interaction between the FTD and excipients. The amount of CS, VNL, and microwave time were screened as significant variables due to the high S/N ratio and delta value from the Taguchi design. A significant effect of CMA/CPP on the CQAs was observed in BBD. The optimum CrL-CSV was designed accomplishing 8.74 % chitosan (CS), 0.94 % VNL exposing 80sec in microwave. Immediate gelling (<1min.), desired viscosity (51432.6cps), optimal mucoadhesion strength (0.40 N), better control on drug release (91.5 % in 8 h) and high stability were achieved in the optimum batch of CrL-CSV. ConclusionAn intelligent formulation inculcating the CrL-CSV was developed, which has instant gelling time, high mucoadhesion time, and strength, and controlled release with desired physical properties. Progressive tools like Taguchi and BBD was explored. The formulation can be helpful at industry as it increases patient compliance, processing and stability.

In Vitro and Ex Vivo Evaluation of Novel Methacrylated Chitosan-PNIPAAm-Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Loaded with Progesterone for Applications in Vaginal Delivery.

Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks and administration of progesterone in pregnancy has considerably decreased the risk of premature birth. Progesterone (PGT) starting from the luteal phase stabilizes pregnancy, promotes differentiation of the endometrium, and facilitates the implantation of the embryo. Within the present study, novel hybrid hydrogels based on chitosan methacrylate (CHT), hyaluronic acid (HA), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) for vaginal delivery of progesterone were evaluated. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for structural identity assessment and evaluation of their morphological aspects. The ability to swell, the release capacity, enzymatic degradation, cytotoxicity, and mucoadhesion were also reported. The characterized hydrogels demonstrated mucoadhesive properties in contact with the vaginal tissue of swine and bovine origin as substrates, and biodegradability and controlled release in a simulated vaginal environment. Cytocompatibility tests confirmed the ability of the hydrogels and progesterone to support cell viability and growth. The results showed pH-dependent behavior, controlled drug release, good cytocompatibility, and mucoadhesive properties. The hydrogels with higher chitosan amounts demonstrated better bioadhesive properties. This study provides insights into the potential of these hydrogels for the controlled vaginal delivery of progesterone, with promising therapeutic effects and no cytotoxicity observed. The experimental results indicated that a composition with a moderate content of PNIPAAm was suitable for the controlled delivery of progesterone.

Preparation and Characterization of Hydrogels Fabricated From Chitosan and Poly(vinyl alcohol) for Tissue Engineering Applications.

In this study, we report on the preparation, characterization, and cytocompatibility of hydrogels for biomedical applications made from two different molecular weights of chitosan (CS) blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chemically cross-linked with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) followed by freeze-drying. A series of CS-PVA hydrogels were synthesized with different amounts of chitosan (1%, 2%, and 3% by weight). The structure of these CS-PVA hydrogels was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogel samples were also characterized for tensile strength, contact angle, swelling behavior, and degradation at physiological body temperature. Their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and cell viability when cultured with human dermal fibroblasts were assessed using alamarBlue and live/dead assays and compared to optimize their functionality. SEM analysis showed that the concentration and molecular weight of the chitosan component affected the pore size. Furthermore, the contact angle decreased with increasing chitosan content, indicating that chitosan increased its hydrophilic properties. The in vitro degradation study revealed a nonlinear time-dependent relationship between chitosan concentration or molecular weight, and the rate of degradation was affected by the pore size of the hydrogel. All of the CS-PVA hydrogels exhibited good cell proliferation, particularly with the high molecular weight chitosan samples.

Edoxaban enfolded beta-1,4-poly-d-glucosamine nanoparticles for targeting eponym Stuart–Prower factor for treatment of venous thrombosis

The present research looked for ways to develop shielded nanoparticles (NPs)-drug transporters made of chitosan (CS) to enhance the bioavailability of edoxaban tosylate monohydrate (ETM) for oral administration by examining the correlation among design aspects and data from experiments using response surface methodology (RSM). ETM-loaded CS nanoparticles (ETM-CS-NPs) were developed using the ionic gelation of CS with tripolyphosphate (TPP). Utilising Zeta-sizer and scanning electron microscopy, the ETM-CS-NPs were evaluated for particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), surface morphology, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL). Drug and polymer interactions in NPs were assessed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. The response surface approach and Design-Expert software optimised the ETM-CS-NPs. Using RSM, the effects of independent variables such as the amount of CS, the amount of TPP, and the amount of glacial acetic acid on PS, PDI and ZP were analysed. The optimal combination of PS (354.8 nm), PDI (0.509), ZP (43.7 + mV), % EE (70.3 ± 1.3) and % DL (9.1 ± 0.4) has been identified for the optimised ETM-CS-NPs. ETM-CS-NPs’ anticoagulant activity was evaluated using activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) assays. In conclusion, a practical and consistent method has been established, and its application has been proven in vitro, indicating its utility for future studies of the biological distribution of ETM-CS-NPs in vivo for specific antithrombotic treatments.

Effect and mechanism of coexistence of microplastics on arsenate adsorption capacity in water

Arsenic pollution control technology in water was important to ensure environmental health and quality safety of agricultural products. Therefore, the adsorption performance of three adsorbents for chitosan, sepiolite, and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) were investigated in arsenate contaminated water. The results revealed that the adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 was higher than that of chitosan and sepiolite. The analysis of adsorption isotherm models showed that the behavior of ZIF-8 was more consistent with the Langmuir model. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms of three adsorbents for arsenate were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis of FTIR showed that ZIF-8 maintained the stability of the interaction with arsenate by forming As-O chemical bonds. However, the effect of chitosan and sepiolite with arsenate was mainly physical adsorption. The analysis of XPS showed that the absorption of ZIF-8 with arsenate involved metal sites and nitrogen through the characteristic peak and the change of the binding energy. Furthermore, the impact of microplastics as a widespread coexistence pollutant in the water on adsorbent performance was investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 was almost not affected by microplastics. The maximum adsorption amount of arsenate was changed from 73.45 mg/g to 81.89 mg/g. However, the maximum adsorption amount of chitosan and sepiolite decreased by 31.4 % and 11.6 %, respectively. The analysis of FTIR and XPS revealed that ZIF-8 enhances arsenate adsorption by forming N-O-As bonds in the presence of microplastics. This study provides scientific evidence for the management of arsenate pollution in water bodies, especially in complex water bodies containing microplastics.

Triggered protein release from calcium alginate/chitosan gastro-resistant capsules

This work aimed to develop gastro-resistant capsules, based on alginate (Alg), as an oral delivery system for enhanced bioavailability of proteins. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), selected as a model protein, has been encapsulated inside calcium alginate capsules, which have been coated with a thin layer of chitosan (CHT) to improve its robustness and delivery profile. BSA and sodium alginate aqueous mixtures were characterized by optical microscopy and dynamic light scattering, suggesting that BSA and sodium alginate form water-in-water coacervate droplets by ionic complexation. Encapsulation of BSA-Alg colloidal dispersions was performed by introducing the BSA-Alg mixtures in CaCl2 solutions. Thus, calcium alginate capsules were formed, which were subsequently coated with CHT. Encapsulation of BSA achieved ≈99 % efficiency, the water content of capsules was ≈95 wt % and the amount of chitosan coating in wet capsules was <0.032 wt %. The stability of the capsules and the release of BSA were studied by several in vitro techniques, in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The addition of CHT as a coating material greatly improved the performance of the capsules, compared to that of capsules without CHT. The results of calcium alginate-chitosan capsules showed that they are stable in water at neutral pH and remain almost intact in simulated gastric fluid, but rapidly disintegrate when further treated with simulated intestinal fluid. These results demonstrated that calcium alginate-chitosan capsules can protect proteins from harsh gastric conditions and release their content at intestinal pH, demonstrating their potential application in the field of oral protein delivery.

Evaluation of Chemical and Biological Properties of Biodegradable Composites Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Chitosan.

In this study, composite films and scaffolds of polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and polysaccharide chitosan obtained via a simple and reproducible blending method using acetic acid as a solvent were considered. The degradation process of the films was studied gravimetrically in a model biological medium in the presence of enzymes in vitro for 180 days. The kinetics of weight reduction depended on the amount of chitosan in the composition. The biocompatibility of the films was evaluated using the Alamar blue test and fluorescence microscopy. The materials were non-cytotoxic, and the addition of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) to chitosan improved its matrix properties on mesenchymal stem cells. Then, the 3D composites were prepared by freeze-drying. Their structure (using SEM), rheological behavior, moisture absorption, and porosity were investigated. The addition of different amounts of chitosan allowed us to vary the chemical and biological properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) materials and their degradation rate, which is extremely important in the development of biomedical poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) materials, especially implantable ones.

Magnetic Nanoparticle Support with an Ultra-Thin Chitosan Layer Preserves the Catalytic Activity of the Immobilized Glucose Oxidase.

Here, we developed magnetically recoverable biocatalysts based on magnetite nanoparticles coated with an ultra-thin layer (about 0.9 nm) of chitosan (CS) ionically cross-linked by sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Excessive CS amounts were removed by multiple washings combined with magnetic separation. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was attached to the magnetic support via the interaction with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in the presence of carbodiimide (EDC) leading to a covalent amide bond. These steps result in the formation of the biocatalyst for D-glucose oxidation to D-gluconic acid to be used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals due to the benign character of the biocatalyst components. To choose the catalyst with the best catalytic performance, the amounts of CS, TPP, NHS, EDC, and GOx were varied. The optimal biocatalyst allowed for 100% relative catalytic activity. The immobilization of GOx and the magnetic character of the support prevents GOx and biocatalyst loss and allows for repeated use.

Preparation and Characterization of Magnetic Material/Chitosan Composite Modified with Glycidyl-Trimethylammonium Chloride

Glycidyl-trimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC) containing quaternary ammonium (QA) groups is commonly used as a base catalyst for any organic reaction. This research prepared a novel composite of GTMAC attached to chitosan-coated magnetic material (MM/Chi/GTMAC) using a precipitation method. The effect of chitosan and GTMAC contents on MM/chi/GTMAC properties was studied, where the chitosan content varied from 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 mol, and GTMAC varied from 0, 0.3, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, and 3 mL with the constant mass of MM (0.4640 g). The physicochemical and morphological properties were characterized with FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD, TGA, UV-vis, AAS, and zeta-sizer, and the magnetic strength was simply tested with an external magnet. The result showed that a mixture containing chitosan and GTMAC of 0.358 g and 1.5 mL was an optimum composition, in which MM/chi(0.5)/GTMAC(1.5) has high thermal stability, low chitosan and Fe solubility, and optimum content of QA (0.284 mol/g) without loss of magnetic strength. The higher the amount of chitosan, the lower the magnetic properties, and the higher the GTMAC did not increase the QA content. Therefore, the composite produced has the potential to be a novel heterogeneous base catalyst that is quickly recovered from any organic reaction media.

Magnetically Chitosan-Silica-Based Biosorbent as Efficient Removal of Au(III) in Artificial Wastewater

The synthesis of chitosan-modified silica-coated iron oxide magnetic material (Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan) via the sol-gel process addresses the need for enhanced stability and functionality in various applications. Coating iron oxide magnetic material with chitosan-modified silica is a common strategy to improve biocompatibility and performance. This study investigates the synthesis of Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan using sodium silicate as the silica precursor. The synthesis involved sonication of Fe3O4 and sodium silicate for 5 min, followed by adding chitosan in 4% acetic acid with continuous stirring. The mass ratio of Fe3O4:SiO2 was fixed at 0.5:0.73, with varying chitosan masses (0.025, 0.050, and 0.075 g). Characterization techniques used included Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX). The product with the highest mass yield was further analyzed. The variation in the amount of chitosan in the conducted research aimed to determine the optimum chitosan mass that could still bind to the silica framework. Magnetite was confirmed as the primary composition, with the addition of chitosan and silica functional groups observed through vibration absorption characteristics. SEM imaging revealed larger particles after coating. Thermogravimetric analysis showed differences in decomposition patterns between samples. The optimal chitosan content for characterization was determined at 0.050 g. Future applications might include enhanced adsorption processes owing to the optimized structure and composition of Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan nanoparticles.

Karakteristik Sifat Fisik Membran Elektrolit Polimer Berbasis Kitosan Larva Black Soldier Fly/Polivinil Alkohol/Poliakrilonitril dengan Penambahan Ammonium Klorida

Black soldier fly larvae shells/BSF-based chitosan can be utilized as polymer electrolyte membrane. This research aims to analyze the physical characteristics of BSF chitosan/PVA/PAN/NH4Cl by varying amount of chitosan and ratio of PVA: PAN. Membrane was fabricated using the phase inversion method. Polymer electrolyte with a mixture of 1.20 g of PVA/PAN with ratio variations of 10:90 and 20:80 and chitosan variations of 2.4 g; 2.8 g; and 3.2 g. Chitosan was also FTIR-characterized. Density and wáter absorption of polymer electrolyte with chitosan composition of 2.4 g; 2.8 g; 3.2 g and PVA/PAN ratio of 10:90 were 0.824 g/mL; 1 g/mL and 1.51 g/mL and water absorption 28.571%; 38.333%; and 46.154%, respectively; and at PVA/PAN ratio of 20:80 were 0.734 g/mL; 1.03 g/mL and 1.096 g/mL and water absorption 62.5%; 66.667% dan 100%, respectively. Best physical property was obtained with the incorporation of 2.4 g of chitosan and 10:90 PVA/PAN ratio.

Characterization of chitosan/Persian gum nanoparticles for encapsulation of Nigella sativa extract as an antiviral agent against avian coronavirus

The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles formed by the ionic gelation method between chitosan and water-soluble fraction of Persian gum (WPG) for encapsulation of Nigella sativa extract (NSE) as an antiviral agent. Our findings revealed that the particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of the particles were in the range of 316.7–476.6 nm, 0.259–0.466, and 37.0–58.1 mV, respectively. The amounts of chitosan and WPG as the wall material and the NSE as the core had a considerable impact on the nanoparticle properties. The proper samples were detected at 1:1 chitosan:WPG mixing ratio (MR) and NSE concentration of 6.25 mg/mL. Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy proved the interactions between the two biopolymers. The effect of NSE on infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) known as avian coronavirus, was performed by the in-ovo method determining remarkable antiviral activity of NSE (25 mg/mL) and its enhancement through encapsulation in the nanoparticles. These nanoparticles containing NSE could have a promising capability for application in both poultry industry and human medicine as an antiviral product.

Keratin-based bioplastics extracted from chicken feathers: Effect of chitosan concentration on the structural, chemical bonding, and mechanical properties of bioplastics

Keratin was synthesized by alkaline hydrolysis from chicken feathers and then continue by casting method for producing bioplastics with additional various amounts of chitosan as a filler, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and glycerol as a plasticizer. The main purpose is analysis the effect of chitosan on the structural properties using quantitative analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, chemical bonding by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra, and mechanical properties by texture analyser to the keratin-based bioplastics. Biodegradation of bioplastics was analysed from the loss of weight by burying in the soil. It's found that, the additional of chitosan (0 %, 2 %, 5 %, and 8 %) increased the crystallinity of bioplastics by 11.83 %, 11.12 %, 18.99 %, and 17.03 %, respectively, but decreasing tensile strength and elasticity of bioplastics. Degradation of bioplastic keratin-based shows that the addition of chitosan can reduce the degradation time which is directly proportional to the loss of CO bonds. The highest degradation rate is 89.29 % in 49 days for keratin-based bioplastics with 8 % chitosan, indicated that high potential for future production.

Development of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Chitosan Composite Nanofibers for Dual Drug Therapy of Wounds.

Current trends in localized drug delivery are emphasizing the development of dual drug-loaded electrospun nanofibers (NFs) for an improved therapeutic effect on wounds, especially infected skin wounds. The objective of this study was to formulate a new healing therapy for an infected skin wound. To achieve this goal, this study involved the development and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan nanofibers loaded with ciprofloxacin and rutin hydrate. Polymers and drugs were used in different ratios. Nanofiber morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy, thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis, structural determination by the X-ray diffraction method, and integrity by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dissolution studies were performed to check the drug release behavior of the formulations. Antibacterial studies were performed against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The wound healing efficiency of dual drug-loaded nanofibers was measured by a full-thickness excisional wound model of rabbits. The fabricated nanofibers were smooth in morphology. According to FTIR findings, the drugs remained intact in the nanofibers. The results of swelling ratio and porosity revealed that the pore size was increased as the amount of chitosan was increased up to 30% but a further increase in chitosan concentration reduced the swelling ratio and porosity. Drug release studies of nanofibers depicted an initial burst effect and afterward controlled drug release behavior. Drug-loaded nanofibers showed better activity against S. aureus than P. aeruginosa. The antibacterial efficacy of rutin hydrate with ciprofloxacin was improved compared to that of the formulation having rutin hydrate only, likely due to the additive effect in activity. Based on wound healing studies, nanofibrous membranes acted as a promising wound dressing material as compared to the commercial wound healing formulation. Drug-loaded polymeric nanofibers were successfully fabricated by using an electrospinning method. These nanofibers showed an efficient ability to deliver drugs and treat infected wounds.

Removal of dyes from aqueous media using environmentally friendly aerogels based on chitosan

According to the World Health Organization, between 17% and 20% of water pollution is caused by dye treatments in the textile industry, which makes the development of efficient technologies for its removal essential. Environmentally friendly adsorbent materials, such as aerogels, can be effectively used in adsorption processes involving water remediation because of their high specific surface area and the possibility of an easy separation from the contaminated solutions. In this work, aerogels were obtained by a simple procedure that includes the cross-linking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde, followed by a freeze-drying step to eliminate water by water sublimation. The obtained aerogels presented low density (0.049–0.083 g/cm3), a three-dimensional skeletal structure that provides them with high porosity, acceptable swelling capacity and good dimensional stability. FTIR and X-Ray analysis were used to identify aerogels’ chemical structure and dynamic-mechanical analysis to complement the characterization of these materials. Selected formulations were also tested as adsorbents of Congo Red in aqueous media. The adsorption results demonstrated that the aerogels adsorption capacity strongly depended not only on the crosslinking agent content but also on the amount of chitosan in the initial solution used in their synthesis. Moreover, preliminary thermodynamic studies of the adsorption process indicate that both adsorption rate and aerogel sorption capacity increase with increasing temperature.