A novel use of cellulose based filter paper containing silver nanoparticles for its potential application as wound dressing agent

The frequent use of antibiotics against microbial infections may lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistant microbial strains. To overcome these microbial strains, we need to fabricate alternative materials which can handle them. It is for this reason, we have fabricated cellulose (CE) based filter paper (FP) composite scaffolds comprising of adsorbed chitosan (CS) and sliver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). The AgNPs are incorporated in the CS layer of the composite scaffold. Prior to evaluate the efficacy of the scaffolds against gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains, the scaffolds were characterized for the presence of the Ag NPs with field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometer (XRD). These techniques confirmed the presence of Ag NPs in the composite scaffold. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was assessed by subjecting pristine FP, CS adsorbed FP (CS-FP) and Ag loaded CS-FP (Ag-CS-FP) composite scaffolds to in vitro studies. From the data obtained, it was observed that NIH3T3 fibroblastic cells adhered and proliferated onto all the scaffolds. Furthermore, the scaffolds exhibited good antibacterial activity against both strains of bacteria. It is, therefore, concluded that these scaffolds could find potential application in biomedical field, particularly as a wound dressing agent.