Effect of Chitosan and Aloe Vera Extract Concentrations on the Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan Biofilms

Abstract

Chitosan films have been extensively studied as dressings in formulations for the treatment of chronic wounds. The incorporation of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) into chitosan dressings could potentialize the healing process since aloe vera shows several pharmacological activities. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of aloe vera and chitosan concentrations on the physicochemical properties of the developed films. The films were obtained by casting technique and characterized with respect to their color parameters, morphology, barrier and mechanical properties, and thermal analysis. Results showed that the presence of aloe vera modified the films′ color parameters, changed barrier properties, increased fluid handling capacity (FHC), and decreased water-vapor permeability (WVP). The reduced elongation at break resulted in more rigid films. Aloe vera concentration did not significantly change film properties, but the presence of this gel increased the films′ stability at temperatures below 200 °C, showing similar behavior as chitosan films above 400 °C. The results suggest a crosslinking/complexation between chitosan and aloe vera, which combine appropriate physicochemical properties for application as wound dressing materials.

Lipid-Polymeric Films: Composition, Production and Applications in Wound Healing and Skin Repair

“…Chitosan is a cationic polysaccharide produced through the deacetylation of chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of crustaceans. Antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, and promotes wound healing, characteristics features that make it a suitable material for wound dressings [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…The microstructure evaluation of emulsified chitosan films indicated that pure chitosan films presented a cohesive, dense structure, without the presence of pores or flaws [ 30 , 80 , 81 ]. When incorporating palmitic acid, the emulsified films presented a more amorphous matrix.…”

“…The films obtained from natural polymers are characterized by their hydrophilic nature, which promotes their affinity with water, increasing the permeability to water vapor [55,56]. The polysaccharides generally used in the formulation of films are characterized by their selective permeability to gases, but a reduced property of water vapor barrier, due to the hydrophilic nature of these polymers [30,[57][58][59][60].…”

Hydrophilic Scaffolds Containing Extracts of Stryphnodendron adstringens and Abarema cochliacarpa for Wound Healing: In Vivo Proofs of Concept

“…The correct use of ointments and dressings influences the course of healing positively, and can reduce potential complications [ 1 ]. In this sense, some studies reporting the use of natural products have shown positive effects in the wound healing process, such as membranes based on, e.g., gelatin, chitosan, sodium alginate, and containing usnic acid [ 8 , 9 ], Vitis labrusca [ 10 ], aloe vera [ 11 ], Punica granatum Linn [ 12 ], and red propolis [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Chitosan Membrane Containing Copaiba Oil (Copaifera spp.) for Skin Wound Treatment

“…Biopolymers materials, for example, are commonly used in the medical field as dressings, wound treatment, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and medical implants [ 4 , 5 ]. Chitosan is a natural cationic biopolymer [ 6 ] and has been considered in various biomedical applications, including wound healing, because of its many biological and physical-chemical attributes suitable for application in dressings [ 7 , 8 ]. Chitosan’s numerous essential advantages are related to its interaction with the tissue, causing no or low toxicity to degradation, as well as having anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”