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Bioactive glasses (BGs) based on 50SiO2‐45CaO‐5P2O5 system doped with 1, 5, and 10 mol% CuO or Ag2O were separately synthesized using quick alkali sol‐gel method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the samples confirmed the formation of nano‐sized BGs, whereas Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed characteristic peaks for silica and phosphate groups. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the heat‐treated (700°C) samples revealed the presence of crystalline metallic silver phase in all Ag‐doped samples, while the XRD pattern of Cu‐doped and control sample (50Si‐45CaO‐5P2O5) also heat‐treated at 700°C confirmed their amorphous nature. Ultraviolet–visible (UV‐Vis) studies along with Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of Cu and Ag in bioglass. Antibacterial properties of the synthesized BGs were investigated by quantitative viable count method, and the results were related to the ion release profiles of the samples studied by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Fast initial release of Ag observed in this study makes Ag‐doped BG a better rapid bacteria‐killing agent than Cu‐doped BG, which exhibited a prolonged release of ions, suggesting that it may be a better candidate for long‐term antibacterial protection.

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Wound care has come through various trials and errors with primitive cultures applying old age techniques and knowledge. Recent research has shown that the moist environment promotes wound healing than the dry. In the present research, hydrogel membranes were fabricated by esterification of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with starch and glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. The essential oils (clove oil, Oregano oil and tea tree oil) have been incorporated in PVA/Starch based hydrogel membranes. The aim was to achieve optimized anti-bacterial activity and mechanical strength. The anti-bacterial testing was performed using the disc diffusion method. The maximum antibacterial activity for fabricated hydrogels was attained by addition of 0.1 mL clove oil in PVA/Starch hydrogel was 39±0.57 mm and 37±0.29 mm for MRSA and E.Coli, respectively. The FTIR results presented the occurrence of -OH group in hydrogel membrane. The SEM results showed around dense nature of membranes with having an antibacterial agent in it or not.Mechanical examination of hydrogel membranes presented suitable tensile strength of 19.36 MPa for 0.1 mL Clove oil. Furthermore, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and moisture retention capability (MRC) for 0.1 mL clove oil was 36.22 g/m 2 h and 95.50%, respectively. The experimental conclusion nominated that fabricated hydrogel articulates good antibacterial, mechanical and physical properties that it could be used in wound dressing applications. The best results were obtained for clove oil using 0.1 mL as an antibacterial agent.

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