Preparation and characterization of a novel antimicrobial film dressing for wound healing application
Braz. J. Pharm. Sci. (Online); 56 (), 2020
Publication year: 2020
Antibacterial activity and good mechanical properties are some of the characteristics required for
an appropriate film dressing. A novel polymer blend was developed for wound healing application.
Twenty-four formulations using the polymers chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol) and/or ɛ-Polylysine and
the plasticizer glycerol were designed using factorial design and then the films were prepared by the
casting/solvent evaporation method. Seventeen films were obtained among the twenty-four proposed
formulations that were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength (σ),
elongation at break (ɛ) and Young’s modulus (Y) as well as antibacterial properties were determined.
The best candidate was then further analyzed with regard to porosity, Water Vapor Transmission
Rate (WVTR), swelling and cytotoxicity experiments. The results showed a film with semi-occlusive
characteristics, good mechanical properties and no toxic. Incorporation of ɛ-Polylysine increased
antibacterial activity against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus
aureus) bacteria