Synthesis, characterization, and anti-microbial activity of superabsorbents based on agar–poly(methacrylic acid-glycine)

Abstract

In this study, poly(methacrylic acid-glycine)-grafted agar-based hydrogels with optimized process parameters were synthesized via a two-step green-radiation induced grafting process using microwave heating. Poly(methacrylic acid) chains were graft copolymerized onto an agar backbone using ammonium persulfate as a free radical initiator and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a cross-linking means using microwave heating. The influence of different reaction parameters was investigated on the percentage swelling behavior of the cross-linked hydrogel networks. The prepared hydrogel networks with optimum percentage swelling were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, using agar as a reference. The anti-bacterial activities of the prepared hydrogels against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be more susceptible to the compounds compared to Escherichia coli. These results indicate that the prepared hydrogels have the potential to be applied as anti-bacterial agents.

Thermo Compression of Thermoplastic Agar-Xanthan Gum-Carboxymethyl Cellulose Blend

“…The XRD peaks of the blends are shown in Figure 4, which is similar to the peaks of the constituents, but not the same. The peak at 2θ = 19 is a near average from the constituents Agar at 19 [31], XG at 19.64 [32], CMC at 19.7 [33] and PEG at 19.23 [34] whereas 2θ = 23.4 may be because of PEG at 23.3 [34] or 23.4 [35] but with less intensity due to the mixing with polysaccharides. The other characteristic peaks of Agar at 14 and 27.2 [31]; XG at 16.42 and 20.10 [32]; CMC at 18.4, 22.7, 25.3 and 28.4 [33]; PEG at 13.6 and 27.3 [34] are missing due to decrease in the crystallinity of the final blend.…”

“…The peak at 2θ = 19 is a near average from the constituents Agar at 19 [31], XG at 19.64 [32], CMC at 19.7 [33] and PEG at 19.23 [34] whereas 2θ = 23.4 may be because of PEG at 23.3 [34] or 23.4 [35] but with less intensity due to the mixing with polysaccharides. The other characteristic peaks of Agar at 14 and 27.2 [31]; XG at 16.42 and 20.10 [32]; CMC at 18.4, 22.7, 25.3 and 28.4 [33]; PEG at 13.6 and 27.3 [34] are missing due to decrease in the crystallinity of the final blend. The reduction in the crystalline property of the biopolymer blends which has occurred may be due to the mixing of the components [31].…”

“…The other characteristic peaks of Agar at 14 and 27.2 [31]; XG at 16.42 and 20.10 [32]; CMC at 18.4, 22.7, 25.3 and 28.4 [33]; PEG at 13.6 and 27.3 [34] are missing due to decrease in the crystallinity of the final blend. The reduction in the crystalline property of the biopolymer blends which has occurred may be due to the mixing of the components [31]. The FTIR spectra in Figure 3 shows the characteristic peaks for all the individual components of the films, namely PEG and Glycerine [23][24][25] at 1099 cm −1 (C-H + O-H stretching), 1103 cm −1 (C-C + C-O-C stretching), 1279 cm −1 (O-H + C-O-H stretching), 1343 cm −1 (C-H bending), 1464 cm −1 (C-H bending) and 2878 cm −1 (C-H stretching); Agar [26] at 1068 cm −1 (C-O-C stretching); XG [27] at 1033 cm −1 (C-O stretching); CMC [28] at 1058 cm −1 (C-O stretching).…”

“…The other characteristic peaks of Agar at 14 and 27.2 [31]; XG at 16.42 and 20.10 [32]; CMC at 18.4, 22.7, 25.3 and 28.4 [33]; PEG at 13.6 and 27.3 [34] are missing due to decrease in the crystallinity of the final blend. The reduction in the crystalline property of the biopolymer blends which has occurred may be due to the mixing of the components [31]. The XRD peaks of the blends are shown in Figure 4, which is similar to the peaks of the constituents, but not the same.…”

Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Nanochitosan/Sodium Alginate/Microcrystalline Cellulose Film

“…It is a public wellbeing menace that influences nations and various fields which, in turn, undermine to the achievements of modern medicine [3]. The synthesis and biocide mpacts of novel compounds were severely studied consequently [4]. In recent years, the risk of infection caused by microorganisms is of major concern in clinical, pharmaceutical areas (drugs, medical devices, odontology, hospital surfaces, etc.)…”