Preparation and Characterization of Antibacterial Films with Eggshell-Membrane Biopolymers Incorporated with Chitosan and Plant Extracts

Abstract

A series of films containing chitosan (CS), eggshell membrane (ESM), soluble eggshell membrane (SEP), and plant extracts from Thymus vulgaris and Origanum valgare were prepared with varying concentrations and compositions. These novel films were characterized extensively with respect to film thickness and uniformity, solution absorption, degradation, microenvironmental pH, and antibacterial properties. All the films were flexible with appropriate mechanical stability. After 48 h of soaking in a lysozyme solution, all the films degraded 64 ± 4%, which would be expected to allow for the release of the plant extracts. The plant extracts on their own showed a pH of approximately 4, with the blended films having microenvironmental pHs from approximately 6.4–7.0, which would be expected to promote wound healing. A CS-ESM-SEP film with 5% of each plant extract inhibited almost all E. coli growth in liquid cultures and had no detriments to fluid absorption. Fluid absorption was approximately 100–150% by weight for all the films. The incorporation of SEP and plant extracts to a CS-ESM film provides a promising and novel method for the incorporation of SEP and antibacterial agents in a film with no detriment to wound fluid absorption or film degradation.

Exploring Iberian Peninsula Lamiaceae as Potential Therapeutic Approaches in Wound Healing

“…An antimicrobial wound dressing system of chitosan/Poly(ethylene oxide) nanofiber loaded with T. vulgaris’ extract, synthetized through electrospinning, was equally afforded [ 120 ]. Similarly, the extract of T. vulgaris loaded into chitosan, eggshell membrane, and soluble eggshell membrane film were also attempted [ 121 ], and Poly(vinyl alcohol)-based nanofiber mats were also loaded with T. vulgaris hydroalcoholic extract [ 99 ].…”

Production of bio-based paper coating made with the addition of eggshell powder

“…In the past decade, many studies have focused on how eggshells or eggshell membrane can be used as a value-added product in different fields e.g. ceramic wall tile, alginate, cornstarch and chitosan based biodegradable or edible film [14,[17][18][19][20].…”

The chicken eggshell membrane: a versatile, sustainable, biological material for translational biomedical applications

“…The ESM has been used for various applications, such as food supplements, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. However, recent studies have identified its potential for translational biomedical applications, such as wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine (Scatena et al 2007, Mensah et al 2021, Mohammadzadeh et al 2021, Mendoza, Chavez and Araya 2022, Webb, Rafferty and Vreugdenhil 2022. The ESM can be easily isolated from waste eggshells generated by the poultry industry, making it a cost-effective and sustainable source of biomaterials (Morooka et al 2009, Vuong et al 2018, Cree and Pliya 2019, Ahmed et al 2019b, Saha et al 2021.…”