Preparation of Chitosan Films Mixed with Superabsorbent Polymer and Evaluation of Its Haemostatic and Antibacterial Activities

Blended and layered films were developed from chitosan and starch-poly (sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) superabsorbant polymer (SAP) and were tested for haemostasis. The tensile properties of the films are reported. A simple in vitro test was used to peer rank the effect of the films on the ability of chitosan to aggregate blood cells. It was clear that the addition of SAP material to chitosan enhanced the ability of the resulted films to coagulate blood. When chitosan and SAP were blended with a ratio of 1 : 1 (v/v) using concentrations of 1-2% and 0.25-0.5% (v/v) of chitosan and SAP respectively, the resulted films reduced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by 22% as compared to the control, whereas the chitosan and SAP control films reduced ESR by 11% and 22% respectively. Also, the two layered films with 2% (v/v) chitosan exhibited the same percent of reduction. These haemostatic films were further investigated by FTIR, TGA, tensile, antimicrobial ability, and cytotoxicity. Some new peaks were observed by FTIR due to possible interaction between the OH groups of the starch and -NH3+ groups of the chitosan. Also, the films showed good mechanical and thermal properties. Moreover, the films also expressed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a bacterial reduction of 99%. All the film samples exhibited a viability percentage around 100% with no cytotoxic effect on the cells. Chitosan-SAP films can be described as biofilms with a homogeneous matrix, stable structure, and interesting mechanical properties, with possibilities of utilization in haemostasis. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 3489-3496,2010