A novel double-network antibacterial hydrogel based on aminated bacterial cellulose and schizophyllan

In this study, a novel hydrogel composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and schizophyllan (SPG) biopolymers with improved mechanical, swelling and antibacterial properties was developed. BC was firstly functionalized using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) to provide better interaction with SPG. A diffraction peak at 5.7 degrees in the XRD pattern of amine-grafted BC/SPG membrane revealed the intercalation of SPG into BC network. SEM images of amine-grafted BC/SPG showed that the fibrillar network of BC was totally covered with schizophyllan. Two distinct stages of weight loss in TGA thermo-gram of amine grafted BC/SPG verified the successful entrance of SPG into BC fibrils. Tensile strength of the amine-grafted BC/SPG considerably increased to 42.19 +/- 7.16 MPa as compared to neat BC (4.41 +/- 0.38 MPa) and amine-grafted BC (7.90 +/- 0.71 MPa). It also showed the highest swelling degree (800 +/- 80%). Amine-grafted BC/SPG exhibited moderate antibacterial activity. MTT assay showed that amine-grafted BC/SPG stimulated the proliferation of normal human fibroblast cells.