Development and Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan/Starch/Bentonite based Ternary Nanocomposite Film for Wound Healing

In this study, a ternary nanocomposite film based on chitosan/starch/bentonite (ChSB) was prepared by a simple and versatile solution casting and evaporation method. The physicochemical properties namely thickness, folding strength, water absorption capacity, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), dressing pH, porosity, and nonenzymatic hydrolytic degradation rate of the nanocomposite film were studied in the laboratory. The addition of bentonite into the solution mixture of chitosan and starch greatly enhanced the mechanical strength, water absorption capacity, as well as WVTR of the nanocomposite film but on the other hand, it did not show any significant effect on porosity. The dressing pH of the nanocomposite film was also measured and it was in the acceptable range between 5.25 and 7.90, usually desired for any ideal wound dressings. The respective percentage hemolysis study and nonenzymatic degradation rate revealed that the ChSB nanocomposite film was hemocompatible and biodegradable in nature. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ChSB ternary nanocomposite film could potentially be used as a suitable dressing for wound healing application.