title: Crosslinker effects on functional properties of alginate/N-succinylchitosan based hydrogels.
abstract: In this paper, physico-chemical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties of hydrogels based on alginate/N-succinylchitosan blends crosslinked by calcium or zinc ions containing cellulose microfibers were investigated and discussed. With respect to plain alginate hydrogels, the addition of N-succinylchitosan significantly improved properties such as swelling degree and stability in saline solution. The water vapour transmission rate confirmed that all the hydrogels were able to assure a moist wound environment. Morphological analysis showed a good embedding of fibres within the zinc crosslinked hydrogels. In addition, zinc-crosslinked hydrogels evidenced antimicrobial activity against two common skin pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity assays proved that the amount of zinc released is slightly over the toxic level. Overall, the characteristics of the zinc-crosslinked hydrogels showed their potential interest as materials for wound dressing.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, CNR, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: mariacristina.straccia@ictp.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Straccia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: iromano@icb.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: adriana.oliva@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, CNR, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: paola.laurienzo@ictp.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santagata
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, CNR, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: santagata@ictp.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laurienzo
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; C118639:N-succinyl-chitosan; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Alginate; Antibacterial activity; Cellulose microfibers; N-succinylchitosan; Wound dressing; Zinc cytotoxicity