Development and characterization of chitosan-collagen films loaded with honey

Biomaterials developed with biopolymers contribute to the healing process of healthy or diabetic patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of honey incorporation (0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 g/100 mL) in chitosan/collagen/glycerol composite films. The Ch/Coll/1.2H films revealed the greatest percentage of elongation (27.10%) and Young´s modulus (65.58 MPa). The barrier properties (WVTR and WVP) exhibited a significant increase when the honey was incorporated into the films. The absorption capacity, solubility, and enzymatic biodegradability were lower in films containing honey. The chemical interactions between the functional groups of the films were verified by FTIR. The morphology studied by SEM confirmed the mixture’s homogeneity. Finally, all formulations exhibited antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium. The aforementioned properties of formulated dressings are suitable for their potential application in chronic wounds.