Antibacterial properties of a bacterial cellulose CQD-TiO₂ nanocomposite

Antibacterial dressing can prevent the occurrence of many infections of wounds. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has the ability to carry and transfer the medicine to achieve a wound healing bandage. In this study, Carbon Quantum Dots-Titanium dioxide (CQD-TiO₂) nanoparticles (NP) were added to BC as antibacterial agents. FTIR Spectroscopy illuminated that NPs were well-bonded to BC. Interestingly, MIC test proved that BC/CQD-TiO₂ nanostructure (NS) has anti-bacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus. The findings indicated that, CQD-TiO₂ NPs have stronger antibacterial properties with better tensile strength compared to CQD NPs, in a concentration-dependent manner. Toxicity of CQD-TiO₂ NPs on human L929 fibroblast cells was also evaluated. Most importantly, the results of the scratch test indicated that the NS was effective in wound healing in L929 cells. The approach in this study may provide an alternative to make an antibacterial wound dressing to achieve an effective drug-based bandage.