Evaluation of wound dressing properties of chitin membranes containing nanosilver

Chitin membranes containing nanosilver were evaluated for use as antimicrobial wound dressings. Chitin at a concentration of 0.25% dissolved in 5% lithium chloride-dimethylacetamide and nanosilver synthesized by gamma irradiation were used for fabrication of chitin-nanosilver membranes. UV-vis spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the presence of silver nanoparticles. Fluid absorption capacity, moisture vapour transmission rate, antimicrobial activity, effect on cell viability, in vitro wound healing property and the silver elution profile were determined, to assess the wound dressing properties of the chitin-nanosilver membranes. The antimicrobial efficacy of chitin membranes containing silver nanoparticles was observed against a broad range of microbes such as Acinetobacter baumanii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Candida albicans. The chitin-nanosilver membranes prepared with 100 ppm silver resulted in 6-log to 8-log reduction in viable counts after 24 h and had a positive impact on fibroblast proliferation. The fluid handling capacity, cell viability test and silver elution profile indicate that the chitin-nanosilver dressing can contribute to effective management of infected wounds. In vitro studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial activity and wound-healing properties of chitin membranes containing nanosilver.