Hyaluronan biofilms reinforced with partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers: Extraction, fabrication, in-vitro and antibacterial properties of advanced nanocomposites

Fabrication of nanocomposite biofilms with enhanced mechanical and antibacterial properties was successfully achieved from hyaluronan (HA) and partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers (ChNWs) by a casting-evaporation method. The hydrolysis process of chitin showed an important role in the dimensions, stability, and the crystallinity of extracted ChNWs in a time-dependent manner. The volume fraction of ChNWs nanofiller varying from (0.001 to 0.5) exhibited a great influence on the mechanical properties of the biofilms (young modulus, strength) was enhanced by the high load-bearing capacity of NWs compared with net HA film. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite biofilms exhibited significant bactericidal activity against different types of bacteria (−/+ gram). HA/ChNWs Nanocomposite biofilms did not show any toxicity against normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and human primary osteogenic sarcoma (Saos-2) cell lines. The new biofilms with unique properties like edibleness, environmental friendliness, high mechanical properties, antibacterial performance, and non-cytotoxicity that could be used in skin tissue regenerations, and drug delivery applications.