Potential of quaternization-functionalized chitosan fiber for wound dressing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Chitosan fibers are biocompatible and biodegradable materials with potential applications in wound healing.
• Modifying chitosan can enhance its properties for specific biomedical applications.
• Developing advanced wound dressings is crucial for effective skin regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize quaternization-functionalized chitosan fibers (QCFs).
• To evaluate the liquid absorption, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and cytotoxicity of QCFs.
• To explore the potential of QCFs as wound dressing materials for skin regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Quaternization of chitosan fiber using 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride.
• Structural characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((1)H NMR).
• Assessment of swelling behavior, mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break), antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and indirect cytotoxicity using L929 cells.

Main Results:

• QCFs exhibited higher liquid absorption capacity compared to unmodified chitosan fibers.
• QCFs showed reduced tensile strength and elongation at break than chitosan fibers.
• QCFs demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
• Indirect cytotoxicity assessment revealed QCFs to be non-toxic to L929 cells at low extraction concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Quaternization successfully functionalized chitosan fibers, enhancing their liquid absorption and antibacterial properties.
• Despite a decrease in mechanical strength, QCFs present a favorable profile for wound dressing applications.
• The non-toxic nature and improved functionalities of QCFs suggest their potential as novel biomaterials for skin regeneration and advanced wound care.