Preparation and evaluation of a kind of bacterial cellulose dry films with antibacterial properties

A kind of antibacterial bacterial cellulose (BC) dry film was developed and characterized as a potential functional wound dressing for acute traumas treatment. To achieve this, a freeze-dried BC film was immersed in a benzalkonium chloride solution, which belongs to cationic surfactant type antimicrobial agent, followed by another freeze-drying step. Some physical and antimicrobial properties of the prepared BC films were investigated and the results showed that the drug-loading capacity of the BC dry film was about 0.116 mg/cm(2) when soaked in 0.102% benzalkonium chloride solution. High water absorbing capacity, an important quality for wound dressings was also achieved with a swelling ratio of 26.2 in deionized water and of 37.3 in saline solution. With respect to the antimicrobial effect, a stable and prolonged antimicrobial activity for at least 24 h was obtained especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, which were general Gram-positive bacteria that found on the contaminated wound. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.