Preparation, Physicochemical Properties, and Antibacterial Activity of Hydrogel Films Based on Starch and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) with Added Ethonium
摘要
Hydrogel films with a polymer base of corn starch and poly(vinyl alcohol) (50:50 wt%), citric acid as a crosslinking agent, and glycerin as a plasticizer were synthesized. Their physical and mechanical characteristics corresponded to the performance level of commercial wound dressings of the same type. The degree of swelling increased by ~30%, whereas the elastic modulus and water-vapor permeability decreased by ~60% when ethonium was introduced into the polymer matrix (from 1 to 5 wt% of the polymer weight). Drug release from the polymer matrix occurred within 90-105 min at drug contents of 2.5-5 wt%. The developed films inhibited the growth of the microorganisms E. coli and P. aeruginosa.