Fabrication of Novel Biofibers containing silver Nanoparticles with Anti-microbial Activity- A Promising Tool for Wound Dressing M.S.

Manikandan*, K.Karthikeyan, C.Prabu, R.Mailvelan, T.Silambarasi, P.Selvamani^ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Anna University of Technology Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu. ^Email: pselvamani@hotmail.com Objective To prepare silk fibers impregnated with chitosan solution containing Silver Nanoparticles and perform the Anti-microbial efficiency of the silver loaded fibers. Method Silver nanoparticles were prepared using chitosan solution by modifying the procedure described by Sastry et. al. Add 50ml of aqueous silver sulphate solution to 50 ml of chitosan solution followed by stirring for 1 hr. To this solution, 0.2 ml of 1M NaBH4 (dissolved in 0.3M NaOH) was added drop wise followed by stirring till the solution attained golden brown colour. At this stage addition of NaBH4 was stopped, the stirring was continued for another 15 mins, to observed the formation of silver nanoparticles and stored at 10 C for further use. The prepared silver nanoparticles solution was coated on silk fibers. Results In the IR spectrum of Ag-C-SF the amide III band, C-OH-band is shortened and shifted to 1026cm-1 as a short band was observed. These observations indicate the hydrogen bond formation between functional groups (amino and hydroxyl groups) of chitosan and SF. The Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectrum of Ag-C-SF image clearly shows the presence of silver with an increased signal. Scanning Electron Microscope images revealed the morphological nature of the prepared particles. The particle size was measured using Atomic Force Microscopy were in the size range of 75-150 nm. Antimicrobial assay shows increase in the size of Ag-C-SF disc and the zone of inhibition was also increased. This proved the anti-microbial efficiency of prepared silk fibers. Conclusion From the results obtained it is concluded that the fabricated Ag-C-SF material might be a promising material for the use in wound healing, tendon reconstruction etc. References 1. Calvo, P., J. L. Vila-Jato, and M. J. Alonso. 1997c. Evaluation of cationic polymercoated nanocapsules as ocular drug carriers. Int. J. Pharm. 153: 41-50. 2. Kreuter, J. 1994. Nanoparticles. In: Colloidal Drug Delivery Systems, edited by Kreuter, J. New York: Marcel Dekker, 261-276.