Multifunctional silver nanoparticle embedded eri silk cocoon scaffolds against burn wounds-associated infection

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Antimicrobial wound dressings enhance healing and prevent infection.
• Non-mulberry eri silk offers superior moisture properties compared to mulberry silk.
• Eri silk production is sustainable and ethical, preserving the silkworm life cycle.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel wound dressing material using eri silk and silver nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the eri silk-silver nanoparticle scaffold against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
• To assess the material's suitability for chronic wound applications, including burn injuries.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an eri silk cocoon-based scaffold decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
• Characterization of AgNPs using UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, and XRD.
• Evaluation of the scaffold's thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Assessment of hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Silver nanoparticles exhibited surface plasmon resonance at 448 nm.
• XRD confirmed AgNP size between 5.66-8.82 nm; SEM-EDX confirmed elemental silver presence.
• The scaffold demonstrated excellent thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and potent bactericidal effects against multidrug-resistant bacteria, causing cell damage.
• The material proved hemocompatible and cytocompatible.

Conclusions:

• The eri silk-silver nanoparticle scaffold is a promising multifunctional wound dressing.
• It effectively targets multidrug-resistant bacteria relevant to burn wound infections.
• The study presents a cost-effective, sustainable approach for developing advanced wound care materials with significant clinical potential.