Development of Radiosterilized Porcine Skin Electrosprayed with Silver Nanoparticles Prevents Infections in Deep...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Extensive burns cause significant complications due to skin barrier loss.
• Xenografts functionalized with nanostructured antibacterial agents offer a promising approach to restore barrier function and prevent infection.
• Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are potent antimicrobial agents with potential for burn wound applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To functionalize a xenograft (porcine skin) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using electrospray deposition.
• To evaluate the antibiofilm efficacy of the functionalized xenograft against multidrug-resistant *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.
• To assess the cytotoxic effects of the AgNP-functionalized xenograft on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of AgNPs via a green microwave route, characterized by size and distribution using transmission electron microscopy.
• Functionalization of radiosterilized porcine skin (RPS) with AgNPs using electrospray deposition.
• Evaluation of antibiofilm activity against *P. aeruginosa* and cytotoxicity assays on HDFs.

Main Results:

• AgNPs synthesized with sizes of 2.1, 6.8, and 12.2 nm.
• Uniform distribution of AgNPs on functionalized RPS confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
• Significant antibiofilm reduction (log reduction of 1.3 and 2.6) at AgNP concentrations of 0.167 M and 0.500 M.
• High HDF viability (>90%) at 24 h exposure to AgNPs released from functionalized skin at concentrations of 0.05 M and 0.167 M.

Conclusions:

• AgNP-functionalized porcine skin demonstrates significant antibiofilm activity against multidrug-resistant *P. aeruginosa*.
• The developed biomaterial exhibits excellent biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts.
• This AgNP-functionalized xenograft is a promising candidate for antibacterial protection in deep burn treatment, inhibiting early-stage bacterial biofilms.