Title: Nanocomposite materials with antimicrobial activity based on chitosan

Authors: Mihaela D. Leonida; Sudeep Banjade; Thong Vo; Gloria Anderle; Gerhard J. Haas; Neena Philips

Addresses: School of Natural Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666, USA. ' School of Health Professions, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390, USA. ' School of Pharmacy, Union University, 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, TN 38305, USA. ' Department of Chemistry, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940, USA. ' School of Natural Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666, USA. ' School of Natural Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666, USA

Abstract: Chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) were prepared by ionic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate. Metal-enhanced CNP were prepared using the same procedure in the presence of Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺, respectively. The nanoparticulate materials were characterised by FTIR, SEM and antimicrobial assays. The CNP showed higher antimicrobial effect than chitosan against S. saprophyticus and E. coli. The effect did not seem to depend on the molecular weight of the starting chitosan. Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺, both known as antimicrobial agents, showed synergistic effects with chitosan against both organisms. The skin regenerative potential of CNP and metal-enhanced CNP was tested by assessing skin cell (fibroblast, keratinocyte) proliferation. The present study also suggests that chitosan and its nanoparticles inhibits MMP-1 expression in skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and may thereby inhibit skin aging and facilitate the ECM remodelling phase of wound healing.

Keywords: chitosan nanoparticles; CNP; ionic gelation; antimicrobial activity; FTIR; synergistic effects; skin aging inhibition; wound healing; sodium tripolyphosphate; S. saprophyticus; E. coli; skin regeneration; skin fibroblasts; skin keratinocytes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNBM.2011.045885

International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.316 - 334

Published online: 28 Nov 2014 *

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