DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTERIZATION, AND EVALUATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF BIODEGRADABLE POROUS SCAFFOLDS LOADED WITH NATURAL VANILLIN

Abstract

Objective: The study's objective is to create biodegradable porous scaffolds that are filled with natural vanillin and assess their in vitro antibacterial activity. Methods: Scaffolds were fabricated by blending different ratios of chitosan and gelatin along with vanillin using the freeze-drying method. Then the following characterization and evaluation of scaffolds, such as FTIR, SEM, porosity, swelling behaviour, degradation studies, in vitro drug release, and antibacterial studies, were carried out. Results: All of the scaffolds that were created had heterogeneous, well-connected pores and were pale yellow in color. This was validated by SEM, where the porosity is greater than 80% and the mean pore size ranges from 105.25±6.35 µm to 188.58±7.51 µm. With an increase in gelatin concentration, all of the scaffolds showed the maximum water absorption and retention capabilities of 760.15%±4.38% and 664.73%±5.82%. In the 7-day degradation investigation, all samples lost close to 60% of their mass. In the formulation CG11, the vanillin was released gradually over about 96 h. According to the present study, the developed scaffolds CG13-A and CG13-B, as well as CG11-A and CG11-B, displayed a higher zone of inhibition. Conclusion: Due to its potent antibacterial capabilities, it may be inferred from the current research that vanillin clothed in chitosan-gelatin scaffolds would be a superior option for treating various wound infections, including diabetic wounds.