Copper nanoparticles immersed in a Starch hydrogel for wound dressing applications

M. E. VILLANUEVA; R. DIEZ; J. A. GONZÁLEZ; M. ORREGO; L. PIEHL; S. TEVES; G. J. COPELLO

Buenos Aires

Workshop; II Workshop on Bio-degradable Polymers and Biocomposites; 2015

ITPN e INTEMA - CONICET

p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 120%; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }p.western { font-family: "Calibri","Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; }p.cjk { font-family: "Calibri","Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; }p.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11pt; }a:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); }Copper and itscomplexes have been used for centuries as disinfectants due to theirantibacterial as well as antiviral properties. Copper nanoparticles(CuNPs) have an enhancedbactericidal effect comparedto copper salts due totheir small size and high surface to volume ratio [1].Starchhydrogels are becoming more important mainly because of thepolysaccharide biodegradability. The hydrophilic groups on thepolymer chains absorb and store water, which is not released underordinary pressure. This quality brings a specific benefit in woundtreatment [2].Anideal wound dressing should absorb exudate and possess antimicrobialproperties[3].The aim of this study was to combine a starch hydrogel with Cu NPsfor the obtaining of wound dressing with antimicrobial activity.