A novel antibacterial cellulose based biomaterial for hernia mesh applications

Abstract

A novel bacterial cellulose/collagen–hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan composite (BCC–H), as an ideal artificial hernia mesh, was synthesized by combining solution impregnation with the EDC/NHS chemical crosslinking method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the bacterial cellulose/collagen (BCC) and BCC–H composites. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that collagen and hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) were incorporated into the bacterial cellulose network successfully. Mechanical testing of the materials showed that the addition of HACC made the tensile strength decrease while the elongation at break was increased. Antibacterial assessment of the BCC–H composites revealed distinct growth inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro cell experiments confirmed that the BCC–H composites had low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility.