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Characteristics of Chitosan Films with the Bioactive Substances-Caffeine and Propolis
Karolina Stefanowska1, Magdalena Woźniak1, Anna Sip2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 75, 60625 Poznań, Poland.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
|July 28, 2023
Summary
Chitosan films with natural additives like caffeine and propolis extract show enhanced antibacterial properties and antioxidant effects. These biodegradable materials offer promising alternatives for medical applications, including wound dressings.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Chitosan is a natural, biodegradable polymer with significant potential for biomedical uses.
- Developing advanced chitosan-based materials is crucial for the medical industry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To produce and characterize chitosan-based films incorporating bioactive substances (caffeine and ethanolic propolis extract).
- To evaluate the impact of different solvents (acetic and citric acids) and additives on the bioactivity and mechanical properties of chitosan films.
Main Methods:
- Chitosan films were prepared using acetic or citric acid as solvents, with or without caffeine and ethanolic propolis extract (EEP).
- Characterization included assessments of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiradical activities, as well as mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break).
- Chemical structures and surface morphologies were also analyzed.
Main Results:
- Chitosan films with citric acid, caffeine, and EEP demonstrated excellent antiradical activity (99.13%), comparable to Trolox (92.82%).
- These films exhibited significant antibacterial activity against *Escherichia coli* and *Enterococcus faecalis*, with citric acid-based films showing higher efficacy than acetic acid-based ones.
- Mechanical properties varied; chitosan-acetic acid films had the highest tensile strength (46.95 MPa), while chitosan-citric acid films had the lowest (2.28 MPa). Additives influenced strength differently based on the solvent used.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating caffeine and EEP enhances the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of chitosan films.
- Chitosan films with natural bioactive substances are promising biodegradable alternatives for medical applications like wound dressings and probiotic encapsulation.
