Antifungal effects of 3D scaffold type gelatin/Ag nanoparticles biocomposite prepared by solution plasma processing

The 3D scaffold type biocomposites of gelatin/silver nanoparticles were prepared through the silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) formation in gelatin solution using solution plasma process (SPP) and their antifungal activity was evaluated. The mixture of 3% gelatin solution and silver precursor (AgNO3; 1–10 mM) was subject to discharge at high voltage (1600 V) under the controlled conditions to form the suspension of Ag NPs in the gelatin matrix. The freeze-drying process of lyophilization was employed to fabricate the 3D scaffold type biocomposite of gelatin/Ag NPs from the suspension. The water-insoluble property was improved by cross-linking using UV-irradiation (λ = 254 nm for 15 min). The physical and chemical characteristics of the biocomposite were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy, EDS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The results indicated that the 3D scaffold biocomposite of gelatin/Ag NPs had spherical shape with approximately 11–12 nm of diameter. The antifungal activity analysis suggested that the biocomposite with Ag NPs could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans as well as that of hyphae and spores of Aspergillus parasiticus significantly. MIC of the biocomposite for C. albicans and A. parasiticus was determined as 80 μg/ml and 240 μg/ml of Ag NPs, respectively. The growth inhibition of 92.8% was observed in the biocomposite with 10 mM Ag against C. albicans.

► Sponge type gelatin/Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) biocomposites were prepared.
► Simple and innovative process, Solution plasma process was used to synthesize Ag NPs.
► Size of the Ag NPs in the biocomposite could be controlled by SPP processing variables.
► Antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. parasiticus bacteria was examined.