Investigation of the Synergistic Antibacterial Properties of a Gel Formulated from Green-Synthesized Chitosan-Coated Copper Oxide Nanocomposite

Abstract

Purpose

Pathogenic bacteria are responsible for the increase of infectious diseases throughout the world, and the development of next-generation drugs is severely hampered by the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to drugs. Therefore, research is urgently focusing on the development of novel antimicrobial agents using biopolymers or drug-coated nanobiomaterials called nanoantibiotics. The CS-coated CuO NPs could be used to treat microbiological diseases. Additionally, this study aims to formulate these antimicrobial agents into a gel dosage form to enhance their application in treating infections effectively.

Methods

This research focuses on the investigation of the synergistic antibacterial properties of a gel formulated from green-synthesized chitosan-coated copper oxide nanocomposite. The zeta potential, particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, FE-SEM and EDS were used to evaluate the green synthesised nanocomposite. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the nanocomposite against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined by the broth dilution method. The optimised nanocomposite was used in the development of an antibacterial gel with different carbopol concentrations. The pH, viscosity, spreadability and extrudahility of each formulation were also evaluated. The synergy in this work comes from harnessing the powerful antibacterial effects of copper oxide with the biocompatible, film-forming properties of chitosan, providing an effective defense against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Results

Chitosan-coated copper oxide nanoparticles (CS-CuO) showed an absorption maximam in the visible region at 437 nm XRD data revealed characteristic diffraction patterns of the phases. The FE-SEM image of the synthesized nanocomposite showed spherical shape and size between 52.73 nm and 64.45 nm. The average particle size was 272.4621.52 nm. The poly dispersion index and zeta potential were 0.946 and 27/5.95 respectively. The optimized formulation showed acceptable physical properties in terms of color, homogeneity. consistency, spreadability. The result of the synergistic effect in this work demonstrates enhanced antibacterial activity of the gel formulated with green-synthesized chitosan-coated copper oxide nanocomposites.

Conclusion

The synthesized CS-CuO nanocomposite gel is effective in topical application and has antibacterial properties. Among the different formulations tested, the best formulation is the one that optimally balances pH, viscosity, spreadability, and extrudability, ensuring maximum antibacterial activity and ease of use. Specifically, a formulation with an appropriate concentration of Carbopol 934 that provides these characteristics while maintaining the stability and efficacy of the nanocomposite would be considered the best.