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Chitosan-Based Materials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 43902

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Prof. Dr. Lidija Fras Zemljič

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Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
Interests: functionalization of materials; medical devices; medical textiles; polysaccharides; adsorption; colloids; surface chemistry; chitosan; interaction studies; charging behaviour
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Prof. Dr. Simona Strnad

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Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Interests: fibers; fiber structure and properties; surface and interface properties; functionalization; biomedical applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chitosan shows excellent properties such as good adhesiveness, good biodegradability, no toxicity, microbial inhibition efficiency, including the ability to improve the resistance to viral infections in plants, inhibit viral infections in animal cells, or prevent phage infections in microbial cultures, to mention just a few. It is also known as an immunological enhancer. As such, it is an ideal candidate to be applied in different structural forms and for different purposes as an antimicrobial agent. Moreover, the use of chitosan nanoparticles as drug delivery system offers many advantages because chitosan is non-toxic and does not require any hazardous solvents. It enables controlled release of active agents and, due to the presence of amino groups, it has readily available sites for crosslinking and modification and, most importantly, it has a mucoadhesive character, which increases residual time at the site of the absorption. Recently, considerable research effort has been made in order to develop safe and efficient chitosan-based products. For this purpose, different chitosan derivatives were synthesized or combined with other polymers or inorganic particles. Macromolecular solutions, micro and nano particles dispersions/suspensions were developed as functional agents themselves or as coating for different polymer materials such as catheters, tampons, wound dressings, vascular grafts, packaging material, magnetic nanoparticles, etc. The new material may also be provide from chitosan bulk solutions, as for example electrospinning of chitosan based fibres. Despite the fact, that numerous data have drawn attention to the chitosan-based applications in the pharmaceutical, textile, food, biomedical segments as well as for cleaning technologies and other fields, there are only few chitosan-based materials product on the market. Due to the chitosan great and universal properties as well as opportunity to use different chitosan derivates resulting in different functionality, there is still a big challenge to combine chitosan with other organic and inorganic materials to establish novel composite, chitosan -based materials as safe and efficient chitosan products for variety of use. This special issue is dedicated to recent novel and innovative contributions in the field of chitosan-based (composite) materials product. These may concern products for variety of use, describing formulations development and manufacturing processes of this kind of composite materials as well as characterization and efficiency of them/ properties and applications. Risks associated with scaling-up of recently developed products may also be pointed out. Contributions from PhD students, post-doc and young investigators from different research fields will be welcome.

Prof. Lidija Fras Zemljič
Prof. Simona Strnad
Guest Editors

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Keywords

chitosan
nanoparticles
coatings
composites
functionality
nanofibers

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 6962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polysaccharide-Based Bilayer Coatings for Biofilm-Inhibiting Surfaces of Medical Devices

by Urban Ajdnik, Thomas Luxbacher, Alenka Vesel, Alja Štern, Bojana Žegura, Janja Trček and Lidija Fras Zemljič

Materials 2021, 14(16), 4720; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164720 - 21 Aug 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2500

Abstract

Chitosan (Chi) and 77KS, a lysine-derived surfactant, form polyelectrolyte complexes that reverse their charge from positive to negative at higher 77KS concentrations, forming aggregates that have been embedded with amoxicillin (AMOX). Dispersion of this complex was used to coat polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films, with an additional layer of anionic and hydrophilic hyaluronic acid (HA) as an outer adsorbate layer to enhance protein repulsion in addition to antimicrobial activity by forming a highly hydrated layer in combination with steric hindrance. The formed polysaccharide-based bilayer on PDMS was analyzed by water contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface zeta (ζ)-potential. All measurements show the existence and adhesion of the two layers on the PDMS surface. Part of this study was devoted to understanding the underlying protein adsorption phenomena and identifying the mechanisms associated with biofouling. Thus, the adsorption of a mixed-protein solution (bovine serum albumin, fibrinogen, γ-globulin) on PDMS surfaces was studied to test the antifouling properties. The adsorption experiments were performed using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and showed improved antifouling properties by these polysaccharide-based bilayer coatings compared to a reference or for only one layer, i.e., the complex. This proves the benefit of a second hyaluronic acid layer. Microbiological and biocompatibility tests were also performed on real samples, i.e., silicone discs, showing the perspective of the prepared bilayer coating for medical devices such as prostheses, catheters (balloon angioplasty, intravascular), delivery systems (sheaths, implants), and stents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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21 pages, 5802 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Chitosan Nanoparticles Functionalized Viscose Fabrics as Potentially Durable Antibacterial Medical Textiles

by Matea Korica, Zdenka Peršin, Lidija Fras Zemljič, Katarina Mihajlovski, Biljana Dojčinović, Snežana Trifunović, Alenka Vesel, Tanja Nikolić and Mirjana M. Kostić

Materials 2021, 14(13), 3762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14133762 - 5 Jul 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2755

Abstract

This research proposed two pretreatments of viscose fabrics: oxidation with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy radical (TEMPO) and coating with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCN), to introduce functional groups (COOH and CHO) suitable for irreversible binding of chitosan nanoparticles without and with embedded zinc (NCS and NCS + Zn, respectively) and consequently achieving washing durable antibacterial properties of the chitosan nanoparticles functionalized fabrics. The characterizations of pretreated and chitosan nanoparticles functionalized fabrics were performed by FTIR and XPS spectroscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy, determination of COOH and CHO groups content, and antimicrobial activity under dynamic contact conditions. Influence of pretreatments on NCS and NCS + Zn adsorption, chemical, electrokinetic, and antibacterial properties as well as morphology, and washing durability of NCS and NCS + Zn functionalized fabrics were studied and compared. Washing durability was evaluated through changes in the chitosan and zinc content, zeta potential, and antibacterial activity after 1, 3, and 5 washing cycles. Pretreatments improved washing durability of antibacterial properties of chitosan nanoparticles functionalized fabrics. The NCS and NCS + Zn functionalized pretreated fabrics preserved antibacterial activity against S. aureus after five washing cycles, while antibacterial activity against E. coli was preserved only after one washing cycle in the case NCS + Zn functionalized pretreated viscose fabrics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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16 pages, 3716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Polyurea Microcapsules by Interfacial Polymerization of Isocyanate and Chitosan Oligosaccharide

by Fuqiang Yu, Ying Wang, Yan Zhao, Jingyu Chou and Xiaowu Li

Materials 2021, 14(13), 3753; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14133753 - 5 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3109

Abstract

(2-((1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)oxy)-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-propanamide) is a new oil-soluble compound with good fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is the depolymerization product of chitosan and can be developed into biological pesticides, growth regulators, and fertilizers due to its various bioactivities. COS is an oligomer of β- (1 → 4)-linked d –glucosamine and can be taken as a polyamine. In this study, microcapsules were prepared by interfacial polymerization of oil-soluble methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and water-soluble COS. The effects of several key preparation parameters, e.g., emulsifier dosage, agitation rate during emulsification, and core/shell ratio, on properties of the microcapsules such as the encapsulation efficiency, particle size, and size distribution were investigated. The microcapsules were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, etc., and the encapsulation efficiency and release behaviors were investigated. The results show that the microcapsules have a smooth surface and 93.3% of encapsulation efficiency. The microcapsules showed slow-release behavior following a first-order kinetic equation, and the accumulative release rates of the microcapsules with core/shell mass ratios of 8.0/4.0, 8.0/5.0, and 8.0/6.0, were 95.5%, 91.4%, and 90.1%, respectively, on day 30. Due to many high biological activities, biodegradability, and the pure nature of COS, microcapsules formed from COS are promising for applications in controlled release of pesticides, growth regulators, and fertilizer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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26 pages, 13460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creation of Ionically Crosslinked Tri-Layered Chitosan Membranes to Simulate Different Human Skin Properties

by Rocío Guerle-Cavero, Blanca Lleal-Fontàs and Albert Balfagón-Costa

Materials 2021, 14(7), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14071807 - 6 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3235

Abstract

In 2023, new legislation will ban the use of animals in the cosmetic industry worldwide. This fact, together with ethical considerations concerning the use of animals or humans in scientific research, highlights the need to propose new alternatives for replacing their use. The aim of this study is to create a tri-layered chitosan membrane ionically crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) in order to simulate the number of layers in human skin. The current article highlights the creation of a membrane where pores were induced by a novel method. Swelling index, pore creation, and mechanical property measurements revealed that the swelling index of chitosan membranes decreased and, their pore formation and elasticity increased with an increase in the Deacetylation Grade (DDA). Additionally, the results demonstrate that chitosan’s origin can influence the elastic modulus value and reproducibility, with higher values being obtained with seashell than snow crab or shrimp shells. Furthermore, the data show that the addition of each layer, until reaching three layers, increases the elastic modulus. Moreover, if layers are crosslinked, the elastic modulus increases to a much greater extent. The characterization of three kinds of chitosan membranes was performed to find the most suitable material for studying different human skin properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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20 pages, 3040 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Functionalized Wool as an Efficient and Sustainable Adsorbent for Removal of Zn(II) from an Aqueous Solution

by Marjana Simonič and Lidija Fras Zemljič

Materials 2020, 13(14), 3208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13143208 - 18 Jul 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2621

Abstract

In this paper, the aim of the research was to obtain a highly efficient wool-based sorbent for the removal of zinc Zn(II) from wastewater. To increase the functional groups for metal binding, the wool was functionalized with chitosan. Chitosan has amino groups through which metals can be complexed easily to chelates. The physical and chemical modification of chitosan on wool was performed to analyze the influence of the coating bond on the final ability of the wool to remove metals. The presence of functional chitosan groups onto wool after adsorption was verified by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) spectra. The effective binding of chitosan to wool was also determined by potentiometric and polyelectrolyte titration methods. The latter titration was used to analyze the chitosan desorption. The main part of the study was the sorption of Zn(II) on natural and functionalized wool. The influence was investigated as a function of contact time, pH, metal ion concentration and temperature on the sorption process. The absorbent with the highest concentration of protonated amino groups (607.7 mmol/kg) and responding sorption capacity of 1.52 mg/g was obtained with wool physically modified by a macromolecular chitosan solution (1%) at pH = 7. Adsorption of Zn(II) onto pristine and modified wool corresponded to pseudo-second order kinetics (R² > 0.9884). The Langmuir model was found to be more suitable (R² > 0.9866) in comparison to the Freundlich model. The Zn(II) sorption process was spontaneous (∆G < 0) and exothermic (∆H < 0). The results found in this study are significant for escalating the possible use of wool modified with polysaccharide coatings as a sustainable source to improve or increase the metal sorption activity of wool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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13 pages, 15228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Membranes as Adsorbents with Applications in Water Purification

by Alexa-Maria Croitoru, Anton Ficai, Denisa Ficai, Roxana Trusca, Georgiana Dolete, Ecaterina Andronescu and Stefan Claudiu Turculet

Materials 2020, 13(7), 1687; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071687 - 4 Apr 2020

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 4541

Abstract

The scope of this article is to develop composite membranes using chitosan (CS) and graphene oxide (GO) as adsorbents for the removal of inorganic pollutants such as heavy metal ions, particularly Pb²⁺, from aqueous solutions. GO was obtained by modified Hummers method and blended with CS solution. The introduction of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) compound to CS/GO suspension lead to an increased adsorption capacity of CS/GO for the elimination of heavy metals by forming stable chelates with them. The synthesized membranes were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the adsorption behaviour of Pb²⁺ from aqueous solutions using CS/EDTA/GO membranes was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The adsorption performance of Pb²⁺ ions was studied by monitoring the concentration of Pb²⁺ against the adsorption period at an initial content of the adsorbent. The maximum adsorption efficiency of Pb²⁺ metal ions reached 767 mg·g⁻¹ for CS/EDTA/GO 0.1%, 889 mg·g⁻¹ for CS/EDTA/GO 0.3%, 970 mg·g⁻¹ for CS/EDTA, 853 mg·g⁻¹ for CS and 1526 mg·g⁻¹ for GO. These findings show promising potential for CS/EDTA/GO membranes as effective adsorbent materials for the removal of heavy metal ions in water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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19 pages, 6891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Chitosan Implementation into Cotton and Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabrics

by Sandra Flinčec Grgac, Anita Tarbuk, Tihana Dekanić, Witold Sujka and Zbigniew Draczyński

Materials 2020, 13(7), 1616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071616 - 1 Apr 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4814

Abstract

Chitosan is an environmentally friendly agent that is used to achieve the antimicrobial properties of textiles. Nowadays, the binding of chitosan to the textiles has been thoroughly researched due to the increasing demands on the stability of achieved properties during the textile care processes. Most crosslinking agents for chitosan are not safe for humans or environment, such as glutaric aldehyde (GA) and formaldehyde derivatives. Eco-friendly polycarboxyilic acids (PCAs) are usually used in after-treatment. In this work, chitosan powder was dissolved in citric acid with sodium hydrophosphite (SHP) as a catalyst. Standard cotton (CO) and polyester/cotton (PES/CO) fabrics were pretreated in 20% NaOH, similar to mercerization, in order to open the structure of the cotton fibers and hydrolyze polyester fibers, continued by finishing in the gelatin chitosan bath. Afterwards, the hot rinsing process, followed by drying and curing, closed the achieved structure. The main objective was to achieve durable antimicrobial properties to multiple maintenance cycles CO and PES/CO fabric in order to apply it in a hospital environment. The characterization of fabrics was performed after treatment, first and fifth washing cycles according ISO 6330:2012 by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), electrokinetic analysis (EKA), by the determination of tensile properties and mechanical damage (wear), and the antimicrobial activity. The application of 20% NaOH led to the swelling and mercerization of cotton cellulose, and hydrolysis of polyester, resulting in better mechanical properties. It has been confirmed that the chitosan particles were well implemented into the cotton fiber and onto to the polyester component of PES/CO blend. The presence of chitosan was confirmed after five washing cycles, but in lower quantity. However, achieved antimicrobial activity is persistent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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15 pages, 1286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Surface Properties of Resilient Denture Liners Modified with Chitosan Salts

by Maike Herla, Klaus Boening, Heike Meissner and Katarzyna Walczak

Materials 2019, 12(21), 3518; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12213518 - 26 Oct 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2616

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) and its derivatives show antibacterial and antifungal properties and could help treat and prevent denture stomatitis (DS). Mechanical and surface properties of resilient denture liners were evaluated when modified with CS salts. CS-hydrochloride (CS-HCl) and CS-glutamate (CS-G) were added to resilient denture liners Ufi Gel P and Coe-Soft at four different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 1% w/w) from which specimens were produced, as well as a control group of each material with no added CS salt. Ten specimens per group (Ø 35 mm, height 6 mm) were manufactured. They were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for a total of 30 days (d). Shore A hardness (SHA) and surface roughness (Ra) were evaluated after 24 h (T1), 7 d (T2), 14 d (T3) and 30 d (T4). Kruskal–Wallis and U-test (Bonferroni-Holm adjusted) were used for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). Ra increased significantly once CS salts were added. SHA increased significantly for some groups, but all specimens fulfilled requirements set by ISO 10139-2:2016. Modification with CS salts does not influence the mechanical properties of the modified resilient denture liners in a clinically relevant manner. Despite the increased roughness, the concept is suitable for further studies. Especially antimicrobial/antibiofilm studies are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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18 pages, 5782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Different Pretreatments on the Antibacterial Properties of Chitosan Functionalized Viscose Fabric: TEMPO Oxidation and Coating with TEMPO Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils

by Matea Korica, Zdenka Peršin, Snežana Trifunović, Katarina Mihajlovski, Tanja Nikolić, Slavica Maletić, Lidija Fras Zemljič and Mirjana M. Kostić

Materials 2019, 12(19), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12193144 - 26 Sep 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3271

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to obtain chitosan functionalized viscose fabric with improved antibacterial properties and washing durability. In this regard carboxyl and aldehyde groups, as binding points for irreversible chitosan attachment into/onto viscose fabric, were introduced by two different pretreatments: 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy radical (TEMPO) oxidation and coating with TEMPO oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCN). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy, breaking strength and antibacterial testing were used to evaluate the influence of these pretreatments on chitosan binding, but also on chemical, electrokinetic, morphological, mechanical and antibacterial properties of pretreated and chitosan functionalized viscose fabrics. Washing durability of chitosan functionalized viscose was monitored through changes in the chitosan content, electrokinetic and antibacterial properties after multiple washing. TOCN coating improves mechanical properties of fabric, while TEMPO oxidation deteriorates them. The results show that both pretreatments improve chitosan adsorption and thus antibacterial properties, which are highly durable to washing. After five washings, the chitosan functionalized pretreated viscose fabrics preserve their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was lost. TOCN coated and chitosan functionalized viscose fabric is a high value-added product with simultaneously improved antibacterial and mechanical properties, which may find application as medical textiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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20 pages, 2317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functionalization of Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) Material Using Chitosan Nanoparticles with Incorporated Resveratrol as Potential Active Packaging

by Tjaša Kraševac Glaser, Olivija Plohl, Alenka Vesel, Urban Ajdnik, Nataša Poklar Ulrih, Maša Knez Hrnčič, Urban Bren and Lidija Fras Zemljič

Materials 2019, 12(13), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132118 - 1 Jul 2019

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 5051

Abstract

The present paper reports a novel method to improve the properties of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymer foils suitable for applications in food packaging. It relates to the adsorption of chitosan-colloidal systems onto untreated and oxygen plasma-treated foil surfaces. It is hypothesized that the first coated layer of chitosan macromolecular solution enables excellent antibacterial properties, while the second (uppermost) layer contains a network of polyphenol resveratrol, embedded into chitosan nanoparticles, which enables antioxidant and antimicrobial properties simultaneously. X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed successful binding of both coatings onto foils as confirmed by gravimetric method. In addition, both attached layers (chitosan macromolecular solution and dispersion of chitosan nanoparticles with incorporated resveratrol) onto foils reduced oxygen permeability and wetting contact angle of foils; the latter indicates good anti-fog foil properties. Reduction of both oxygen permeability and wetting contact angle is more pronounced when foils are previously activated by O₂ plasma. Moreover, oxygen plasma treatment improves stability and adhesion of chitosan structured adsorbates onto PP and PE foils. Foils also exhibit over 90% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and over 77% reduction of Escherichia coli as compared to untreated foils and increase antioxidant activity for over a factor of 10. The present method may be useful in different packaging applications such as food (meat, vegetables, dairy, and bakery products) and pharmaceutical packaging, where such properties of foils are desired. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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13 pages, 2523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Chitin Nanofibrils on Biocompatibility and Bioactivity of the Chitosan-Based Composite Film Matrix Intended for Tissue Engineering

by Natalia V. Smirnova, Konstantin A. Kolbe, Elena N. Dresvyanina, Sergey F. Grebennikov, Irina P. Dobrovolskaya, Vladimir E. Yudin, Thomas Luxbacher and Pierfrancesco Morganti

Materials 2019, 12(11), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12111874 - 10 Jun 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3478

Abstract

This paper discusses the mechanical and physicochemical properties of film matrices based on chitosan, as well as the possibility of optimizing these properties by adding chitin nanofibrils. It is shown that with the introduction of chitin nanofibrils as a filler, the mechanical stability of the composite materials increases. By varying the concentration of chitin nanofibrils, it is possible to obtain a spectrum of samples with different bioactive properties for the growth of human dermal fibroblasts. Film matrices based on the nanocomposite of chitosan and 5 wt % chitin nanofibrils have an optimal balance of mechanical and physicochemical properties and bioactivity in relation to the culture of human dermal fibroblasts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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20 pages, 4585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functionalisation of Silicone by Drug-Embedded Chitosan Nanoparticles for Potential Applications in Otorhinolaryngology

by Urban Ajdnik, Lidija Fras Zemljič, Matej Bračič, Uroš Maver, Olivija Plohl and Janez Rebol

Materials 2019, 12(6), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12060847 - 13 Mar 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3157

Abstract

Silicones are widely used medical materials that are also applied for tympanostomy tubes with a trending goal to functionalise the surface of the latter to enhance the healing of ear inflammations and other ear diseases, where such medical care is required. This study focuses on silicone surface treatment with various antimicrobial coatings. Polysaccharide coatings in the form of chitosan nanoparticles alone, or with an embedded drug mixture composed of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) were prepared and applied onto silicone material. Plasma activation was also used as a pre-treatment for activation of the material’s surface for better adhesion of the coatings. The size of the nanoparticles was measured using the DLS method (Dynamic Light Scattering), stability of the dispersion was determined with zeta potential measurements, whilst the physicochemical properties of functionalised silicone materials were examined using the UV-Vis method (Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). Moreover, in vitro drug release testing was used to follow the desorption kinetics and antimicrobial properties were tested by a bacterial cell count reduction assay using the standard gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The results show silicone materials as suitable materials for tympanostomy tubes, with the coating developed in this study showing excellent antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition properties. This implies a potential for better healing of ear inflammation, making the newly developed approach for the preparation of functionalised tympanostomy tubes promising for further testing towards clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitosan-Based Materials)

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