Chitosan/Ulva lactuca polysaccharide hydrogel containing copper (ii) beneficial for biofilm-associated wound infection: Formulation characterizations and In vitro study

The present investigation elaborates the energy efficient synthesis of chitosan/Ulva lactuca polysaccharide hydrogel impregnated with copper (II) (Cu-CS/ULP) for wound dressing applications. We successfully characterized the prepared hydrogel using FTIR, SEM, TG-DTA and swelling analysis. Compare to chitosan/U.lactuca polysaccharide hydrogel (CS/ULP), the Cu-CS/ULP hydrogel show a similar framework with the best mechanical properties. The whole blood clotting examination shows that the copper (II) can expand the blood clotting rates of the CS/ULP hydrogel. Free radical scavenging activity and prevention of protein degradation confirmed by DPPH and protein degradation assays. The released copper (II) from Cu-CS/ULP hydrogel exhibited a strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus). Cu-CS/ULP hydrogel showed a significant activity in biofilm inhibition mass compared to that of CS/ULP. The present suggested that the copper (II) loaded CS/ULP hydrogel is a promising biomaterial for wound dressing application.