Tijana Ristić

Antimicrobial and antioxidant functionalization of viscose fabric using chitosan–curcumin formulations:

The purpose of this work was to develop new additive combinations between chitosan and curcumin in solutions as a fiber-coating. Diverse additive combinations between chitosan and curcumin in solutions were adsorbed onto viscose fabrics in order to reach the essential antimicrobial and antioxidant functionalization for medical textiles. The goal of this paper was to examine the adsorption of these two compounds as an additive formulation on viscose textile material as well as to analyze the desorptions of both substances from the fabric surface. Finally, the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of viscose fabrics functionalized by chitosan–curcumin formulations were respectively examined. Curcumin as an adsorbate for textiles in combination with chitosan represents an added-value because of its anti-oxidative properties, and showing the potential to enhance existing antimicrobial performance of chitosan when applied using the preferred procedure.

Interaction and enrichment of protein on cationic polysaccharide surfaces.

In this study, the interaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate functionalized bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) with cellulose surfaces decorated with trimethyl chitosan (TMC) is investigated. Two types of TMC, one exhibiting a lower and one with a higher degree of cationization are used for protein adsorption. The adsorption is carried out at different pH values and concentrations of the protein solution. The amount, morphology and wettability of FITC-BSA coating on TMC/cellulose films are determined using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and contact angle measurements. A lower pH and higher concentration of protein solution resulted in a greater amount of irreversibly adsorbed material owing to the reduced solubility and minimized electrostatic repulsion. A maximum adsorption of protein is observed on cellulose surfaces functionalized with TMC carrying a higher degree of cationization compared to TMC with a lower degree of cationization and pure cellulose surfaces at all applied concentrations and pH values. BSA is a commonly used model protein and is applied in this study to better understand its interaction with cationically rendered cellulose surfaces. Such knowledge is essential for creation of multifunctional polysaccharide-based biomaterials.

Chitosan nanoparticles as a potential drug delivery system attached to viscose cellulose fibers

Chitosan and its water-soluble N,N,N-trimethyl derivative were attached to cellulose fibers in the form of nanoparticle dispersions. The attachment of the chitosan nanoparticles to the fiber surface was studied by evaluation of the quantity of chitosan amino groups using a conventional spectrophotometric method supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The desorption kinetics of the chitosan nanoparticles from the fiber surface was also examined indirectly by the spectrophotometric method. Additionally, a model drug was incorporated into the optimal chitosan nanoparticles for subsequent attachment to fibers to create a potential fibrous drug delivery system aimed at gynecological use, i.e., tampons as antimicrobial agents themselves or as drug reservoirs.

The evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial properties of fibers functionalized by chitosan nanoparticles

In this work, chitosan (CS) and its water-soluble derivatives, N,N,N-trimethyl chitosans (TMC), were used in the form of solution and nanoparticles dispersions (CSNP) as an adsorbate for cellulose fibers in order to obtain bioactive functionality of fibers aimed toward use in tampons. To examine the usability of bioactive tampons it is extremely important to provide detailed information about tampons’ antimicrobial capacity regarding pathogen microorganisms (MOs), as well as for those responsible for healthy flora such as Lactobacillus sp. Thus, evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial properties of functionalized fibers was performed in detail using the standard shake-flask test method (ASTM E2149) and “time-kill” method (non-standard method) against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Both methods were compared. Susceptibility of Lactobacillus sp. to coated fibers was tested as well. Additionally, cytotoxic properties of fibers were evaluated as a further indicator of safety aspect of tampons functionalized by CS and TMC. The results show that specific functionalization of tampons using CS nanoparticles could improve tampon antimicrobial activity and offer a safety upgrade for the regular feminine cotton tampon, providing an attractive feature.