Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan-silver nanocomposite with pectin and its derivatives and porous materials based on them

The paper studies the regularities of formation and antioxidant activity of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) based on chitosan-Ag and pectin-Ag nanocomposites, as well as pectin and oxidized pectin. The technique for fabricating porous IPEC-based materials has been developed, and parameters allowing to regulate their structure and physicochemical properties have been determined. IPEC-based matrices are characterized by high porosity (> 95 %) and a density ranging from 15.5 to 28.8 mg/cm3. It has been established that the qualitative composition of the complexes (the type of polyanion in IPECs) has the main effect on the degree of degradation of the porous materials under the studied time period (up to 7 days). Samples based on oxidized pectin demonstrated the best stability in a model medium (Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline), retaining their shape and integrity, while their average mass loss was 23.4 ± 10.0 %. The obtained porous materials based on IPECs may be of practical interest for application in wound dressings as an active layer carrying antibacterial and antioxidant functions.

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