Smart release of antimicrobial ZnO nanoplates from a pH-responsive keratin hydrogel

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 536; pp. 372 - 380
• Main Authors: Villanueva, María E., Cuestas, María L., Pérez, Claudio J., Campo Dall′ Orto, Viviana, Copello, Guillermo J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15-02-2019
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial wound dressings; Biocompatible; Biodegradable; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Cercopithecus aethiops; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Hydrogels - chemistry; Hydrogels - pharmacology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Keratins - chemistry; Keratins - pharmacology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Smart keratin hydrogels; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Vero Cells; Zinc Oxide - chemistry; Zinc Oxide - pharmacology; Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Biocompatible; Biodegradable; Smart keratin hydrogels; Antimicrobial wound dressings; Zinc oxide nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.10.067

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A smart antibacterial biomaterial based on a keratin hydrogel with pH-dependent behavior and Zinc Oxide nanoplates as biocide agent has been developed. The pH of a chronic wound is basic due to bacterial metabolism. Originally shrank at acid pH, keratin hydrogels swell upon contact with a bacterial contaminated media leading to the release of the nanoparticles. The material has been thoroughly characterized by infrared spectroscopy, Raman, scanning electron microscope, swelling behavior, Differential scanning calorimetry, Small-angle X-ray scattering, rheology, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. The results show that 5% of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles concentration is the optimum for wound dressing applications.