ANTIMICROBIAL FUNCTIONALIZATION OF GAUZE DRESSING
cotton gauze; silver nanoparticles; functionalization; antimicrobial activity.
The management of cutaneous wounds is a dynamic process that depends on the progression of the healing phases and involves the use of various dressings. However, growing bacterial resistance makes it urgent to seek new technological strategies to optimize tissue repair. In this study, gauze pads made of 100% cotton or a viscose-polyester blend were initially treated with a chitosan solution and then impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The functionalized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the arrangement, crystalline organization, and chemical interactions between chitosan and AgNPs. In vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using the disk diffusion assay. SEM-EDS results confirmed uniform attachment of the nanoparticles to the fiber surface, while XRD diffractograms and FTIR spectra revealed structural changes suggestive of interactions between chitosan and silver. Additionally, the functionalized gauze exhibited a significant zone of bacterial inhibition, demonstrating its antimicrobial efficacy. It is concluded that AgNP impregnation confers promising properties to gauze compresses for use in advanced dressings, contributing to the development of healthcare materials that aid in preventing infections and accelerating wound healing.