Innovative Dextran-Silver Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Potential Antibacterial Protection in Clinical Application

Abstract

This study explores the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from dextran produced by Weissella cibaria. Dextran-capped AgNPs (DEX-AgNPs) and physically crosslinked hydrogel composites with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared and characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, TGA, tensile strength analysis, SEM, and TEM with SAED. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, and molecular docking and inhibition constant analyses were performed against the potential targets, staphyloferrin A and B. The synthesized DEX-AgNPs exhibited a spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 5 to 7 nm. The PVA/(DEX-AgNPs) hydrogel composite exhibited improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, and controlled AgNP distribution compared to DEX-PVA and DEX AgNPs alone. The swollen hydrogel patch demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity owing to the sustained release of the DEX-AgNPs. Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity of dextran with staphyloferrin A and B, suggesting the inhibition of iron acquisition pathways in S. aureus. The biodegradable nature of the PVA-dextran hydrogel, combined with the presence of AgNPs, is anticipated to effectively curb bacterial exudate production and enhance antibacterial activity. This study highlights the potential of the developed DEX-AgNP hydrogel composite as a promising nanomedicine for clinical wound-dressing applications, particularly for combating antibiotic-resistant S. aureus infection. 

Figure. Regulation of Fe by Staphylococcus aureus at Iron Aquations. FtnA - ferritin gene; Fur - ferric uptake regulator; HrtAB - heme regulator transporter efflux pump; HtsABC - heme transport system involved in Fe-SA uptake; SA - Staphyloferrin A; SB - Staphyloferrin B.

Keywords: Dextran; silver nanoparticles; antibacterial activity; hydrogel; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphyloferrin A; Staphyloferrin B.

Reference

 1.  Kanimozhi Jeyaram, Sivasubramanian Velmurugan, Aathimoolam Narayanan, Sumathi Ramasamay, Ethiraj Selvarajan. “Innovative Dextran-Silver Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Potential Antibacterial Protection in Clinical Application” Letters in Applied NanoBioScience (2025): 14 (4), 250. https://doi.org/10.33263/LIANBS144.250.