from the conferences organized by TANGER Ltd.
The present work is focused on preparation of polysaccharide films which were doped with silver nanoparticles for enhancement of antibacterial properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared and stabilized by reduction of silver nitrate with chitosan without addition of reducing agents. The presence of AgNPs was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Wettability and water absorption of the films were evaluated. Antibacterial activity of solid films with AgNPs was tested by disc diffusion test on two bacterial strains, Gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli). Solid films were dissolved and then the solution was observed by the Transmission electron microscopy. Aging of the solutions which were stored in the day light and dark were tested. The presence of AgNPs was confirmed both in the solid films and in the solutions by the above mentioned methods and the films exhibited antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains. The research was aiming on use of these films in medicine as a new type of wound dressing with antibacterial properties. These films could be used as a wound dressing, antimicrobial packaging material or as a long-term storage of AgNPs for various applications.
Keywords: Polysaccharides films, silver nanoparticles, preparation and characterization of films© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.