Synthesis and Characterization of Antimicrobial Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Hydrogel as Wound Dressing

Novel antimicrobial PVP-GP hydrogels were prepared by polycondensation of hexamethylenediamine and guanidine hydrochloride, followed by cross-linking reaction using N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAm). The products were characterized by H-1 NMR, FTIR, SEM, and their performances for wound dressing applications were also evaluated. Swelling study showed that the water absorptivity of the hydrogels decreased as the cross-linking density increased either in water or in physiological saline solution. Both PVP and PVP-GP hydrogels possessed excellent mechanical strength which could address the requirements for wound dressing. The water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of PVP and PVP-GP hydrogels were in the range of 1727-2320 g/m(2)/day, indicating that the prepared hydrogels were suitable for wound dressings without dehydrating the wound surface or accumulating exudates. Kirby-Bauer inhibition zone test and microbe penetration assay proved that the PVP-GP hydrogels had high antimicrobial activity.