Antifungal bionanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) and silver nanoparticles for potential medical devices

Novel biocompatible and antimicrobial composites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), hydrolyzed collagen (HC) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by melt processing. Tributyl o-acetyl citrate (ATBC) was used as plasticizer, for improving the processability of PLA. The influence of HC and AgNPs on the PLA bionanocomposites was investigated in terms of biocompatibility, antifungal activity and water contact angle measurements. Surface morphology by SEM and the identification of AgNPs by UV-Vis were also presented. The investigated bionanocomposites exhibited the characteristic plasmonic effect of silver nanoparticles. All composites showed a high degree of biocompatibility. Sample containing HC 5 wt.% and AgNPs showed a significant antifungal property, inhibiting fungal adhesion and mature biofilm development. The increased hydrophilicity determined by contact angle analysis for the PLA/HC10/AgNPs composite did no contributed significantly to improving of anti-adherence effect. 10 wt.% HC promoted fungal colonization and mature biofilm development.