Genipin Cross-linked Boron Doped Hydrogels: Evaluation of Biological Activities

Genipin cross-linked/boron doped starch/polyvinily alcohol (PVA) based hydrogel (SH-GNP-B) was synthesized as a new material having antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The prepared hydrogel was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) methods and evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activities against selected organisms by disc diffusion tests.The antioxidant activity of the prepared hydrogels was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assays. Swelling behavior of the hydrogel was also investigated. The synthesized hydrogel was thermally stable and showed pH independent swelling tendency. SH-GNP-B hydrogel was found to have antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptecocus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis microorganisms and antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity was improved more effectively by doping boric acid (B) to hydrogel. The hydrogel exhibited weak antioxidant activity when compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).