Development of a chitosan/polyethylene oxide/ginger nanocomposite: structural characterization and antibacterial...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing eco-friendly antibacterial materials is vital to reduce synthetic chemical use.
• Natural additives offer a sustainable alternative for enhancing material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antibacterial efficacy of ginger nanoparticles (GNPs) incorporated into a chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend.
• To characterize the structural and thermal properties of the resulting nanocomposite.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan/PEO blends were prepared with varying concentrations of GNPs (1-4 mL).
• Material characterization included XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, and zeta potential analysis.
• Antibacterial activity was tested against Gram-positive (Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella) bacteria.

Main Results:

• XRD and FTIR confirmed successful interaction and integration of GNPs within the chitosan/PEO matrix.
• TEM showed GNP diameters of 36.6 ± 13.8 nm, with moderate stability indicated by zeta potential (-19.33 mV).
• SEM revealed particle aggregation at higher GNP concentrations. The nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimal effect on Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

• The chitosan/PEO/GNP nanocomposite is a promising bio-based material with enhanced antibacterial properties.
• The study highlights the potential of natural nanoparticles for developing sustainable antibacterial solutions.
• Further research may optimize GNP concentration for broader antibacterial spectrum.