A novel and green biomaterial based silver nanocomposite hydrogel: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial effect

In the present study, we report a facile and eco-friendly method for the preparation of a novel silver nanocomposite hydrogel (SNH) based on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) grafted onto salep as a water soluble polysaccharide backbone. The presence of inorganic silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) in the hydrogel was confirmed by thermo-gravimetric (TG) analysis. The TEM images illustrated the presence of embedded nano-Ag throughout the hydrogel matrix. In addition, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the formed nano-Ag had an average particle size of 5–10 nm. The potential of obtained SNH was examined for Tetracycline hydrochloride (TH) release in simulated colon conditions. Lastly, the in vitro antibacterial properties of the obtained optimum sample were successfully evaluated against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

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► We synthesize a novel nanoporous smart silver nanocomposite hydrogel.
► We graft poly(acrylic acid) onto salep as a polysaccharide backbone.
► We make the polymerization in the presence of inorganic silver nanoparticles.
► We apply the inorganic nanocomposite for delivery of Tetracycline hydrochloride.