Preparation, Characterization, and Biological Features of Cactus Coated Bacterial Cellulose Hydrogels

Abstract

The current study was aimed at developing BC-Cactus (BCC) composite hydrogels with impressive mechanical features for their potential applications in medical and environmental sectors. BCC composites hydrogels were developed through cactus gel coating on a never dried BC matrix. The FE-SEM micrographs confirmed the saturation of BC fibrils with cactus gel. Additionally, the presence of various functional groups and alteration in crystalline behavior was confirmed through FTIR and XRD analysis. Mechanical testing illustrated a three-times increase in the strain failure and an increase of 1.6 times in the tensile strength of BCC composite. Absorption capabilities of BCC were much higher than pure BC and it retained water for a longer period of time. Additionally, the rewetting and absorption potentials of composites were also higher than pure BC. The composite efficiently adsorbed Pb, Zn, Cu, and Co metals. Biocompatibility studies against human HaCat cell line indicated much better cell adhesion and proliferation of BCC compared to BC. These findings advocate that the BCC composite could find applications in medical, pharmaceutical and environmental fields.

Multifunctional Gel Films of Marine Polysaccharides Cross-Linked with Poly-Metal Ions for Wound Healing

“…A total of 3% of the absorption peaks in the 3%COS+C+Z+S group were weak, while the 3%COS+Z+S, 3%COS+C+S, and 3%COS+C+Z groups were enhanced sequentially due to the bending vibration of the double bond over the single bond −COO and C=O in the amide group and N-H in the amide group to different degrees. When two different metal ions form a binary cross-linker, the gel film may form a unique structure different from the single ion cross-linker, due to the coexistence of the two cross-linking mechanisms and the different degrees of stretching vibrations generated by the absorption summit [21]. The above showed that −COO − and −NH 3 + interacted with metal ions, confirming the generation of double-network gel films.…”

Evaluation of Anti-Biofilm and in Vitro Wound Healing Activity of Bacterial Cellulose Loaded with Nanoparticles and Borax

“…Some researchers have modified BC by changing its surface charge using carboxyl groups [8]. Hyaluronic acid-BC composites, chitosan-BC composites, cactus/BC hydrogels and metallic nanoparticles combined with BC have also been obtained by numerous researchers to improve the biological properties of BC [9][10][11]. Moreover, researchers have reported that BC composites with pullulan, chitosan, cactus and acrylic acid hydrogels increase the healing rate of burn wounds and may be used as wound dressing composites [11][12][13][14][15].…”