Silver-containing polysaccharide-based tricomponent antibacterial fibres for wound care applications

Objective: Polysaccharide-based biomaterials are extensively used in wound care healing due to their unique liquid absorption, gelling properties and biocompatibility properties. They play an important role in controlling infections of highly exuding hard-to-heal wounds. The main objective of this study was to develop silver-containing polysaccharide-based tricomponent antibacterial fibres for use in these complex wounds. Method: The fibres were developed by coating silver-containing alginate and psyllium fibres with hydrolysed chitosan. Dope solution containing alginate, psyllium and silver carbonate was extruded into a coagulation bath containing calcium chloride and hydrolysed chitosan. The developed fibres were tested for liquid absorption, swelling and antibacterial properties against a control fibre (of alginate and psyllium). Results: The developed fibres showed comparatively better liquid absorption, gelling and antibacterial properties than the control fibres. Conclusion: The study concluded that developed fibres could be a preferred choice for application on hard-to-heal wounds with high levels of exudate, to support infection control and faster healing.