Characteristics of Silk Sutures Treated With Natural Coating Agents

. In this study, chitosan, curcumin, and aloe vera gel powder were applied to braided silk sutures in both pure and combined forms, and their effects on braided silk suture features were investigated. The braided silk suture coated with a combination of chitosan, curcumin, and aloe vera gel powder outperformed conventional coated sutures in terms of tensile and knot performance. The braided silk sutures coated with a combination of chitosan, curcumin, and aloe vera gel powder (zone of inhibition 5 mm against E.coli and 8 mm against S.aureus) had greater antibacterial properties than those coated with pure forms (zone of inhibition 5 mm against E.coli and 8 mm against S.aureus). The aloe vera gel powder and chitosan-coated braided silk suture possesses a 7mm zone of inhibition against E.coli and S.aureus. The friction coefficient of the same is lower than that of different coated sutures. Sutures coated with aloe vera gel powder and combination had lower bending rigidity, but sutures coated with chitosan had higher bending rigidity.