Recent advancements in biopolymer and metal nanoparticle-based materials in diabetic wound healing management.

Chitosan-based copper nanocomposite accelerates healing in excision wound model in rats.

Biopolymer-based biomaterials for accelerated diabetic wound healing: A critical review.

Puree prepared from over-ripe peeled bananas was used as raw material for films processing in a laboratory padder. Pectin and glycerol as plasticizer were added in small concentrations and chitosan nanoparticles (88.79 ± 0.42 nm medium size) incorporated at 0.2% (dry weight basis) as reinforcement material. The mechanical properties, water vapor transmission, thermal stability, and scanning electron microscopy of fractured film surfaces were characterized. Both pectin and glycerol demonstrated an important role in promoting elongation and film handability as was expected. The incorporation of nanoparticles promoted noticeable improvement of the mechanical properties and acted in reducing the water vapor permeation rate, by 21% for films processed with pectin and up to 38% for films processed without pectin, when compared to the control (puree films with no pectin and nanoparticles additions). Microscopic observation revealed a denser matrix when nanoparticles are incorporated into the films.

Practical Application:  The development of films from fruit purees head to a new strategy for plastic processing from natural resources. The over-ripe or even waste banana can be adequately prepared for batch films processed with reasonable mechanical and barrier properties, suitable for applications in the food segment. The addition of small fractions of chitosan nanoparticles, form nanocomposites enhancing mechanical and thermal stability broadening potential film applications.

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Effect of chitosan nanoparticles and pectin content on mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of banana puree films.

Instructive microenvironments in skin wound healing: Biomaterials as signal releasing platforms.

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) were prepared by ionic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate. Metal-enhanced CNP were prepared using the same procedure in the presence of Cu 2+ and Ag+, respectively. The nanoparticulate materials were characterised by FTIR, SEM and antimicrobial assays. The CNP showed higher antimicrobial effect than chitosan against S. saprophyticus and E. coli . The effect did not seem to depend on the molecular weight of the starting chitosan. Cu 2+ and Ag+, both known as antimicrobial agents, showed synergistic effects with chitosan against both organisms. The skin regenerative potential of CNP and metal-enhanced CNP was tested by assessing skin cell (fibroblast, keratinocyte) proliferation. The present study also suggests that chitosan and its nanoparticles inhibits MMP-1 expression in skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and may thereby inhibit skin aging and facilitate the ECM remodelling phase of wound healing.

Thong Vo

Papers

Nanocomposite materials with antimicrobial activity based on chitosan