Chitosan-Modified Cellulosic Nonwoven for Application in Gynecology. Impact of the Modification Upon Chemical Purity, Structure and Antibacterial Properties

Physical-chemical, morphological and physical-mechanical characterization was made for cellulose nonwoven modified with chitosan nanoparticles with a view to their possible use in medicine as gynecological tampons. It was an aim of the work to assess the impact of the addition of chitosan nanoparticles upon the biological activity and toxicity of the materials prepared. Methodology was prepared for the examination of the gynecological devices in the range of their useful properties, notably the mechanical strength, surface density and absorption. Aqueous extracts were examined after an extraction process that simulated standard use of the medical device, and after a surplus extraction. The content of water-soluble-, surfactant- and reductive substances was estimated as well as the contents of heavy metals like cadmium, lead, zinc and mercury by the ASA method. Morphology examination permitted to assess the impact of the extraction processes on the fibre structure. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and antifungal activity against Candida albicans was measured. Altogether examinations were made to assess whether the cellulosic nonwoven modified with chitosan nanoparticles meets the demands of medical devices and lends itself to the manufacture of tampons.