Zeolite -Chitosan Biocomposites: A Study on Their Antibacterial Behavior for Biomedical Applications

Antibacterial biomaterials are gaining increasing attention in the development of medical devices, prosthetics, and drug delivery systems. The increasing bacterial resistance and the risk of infection associated with biomedical implants have highlighted the urgent need for materials with intrinsic antibacterial properties. Natural biomaterials such as chitosan and zeolite (clinoptilolite) have shown promise for the future due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and functional properties. In this study, a biocomposite consisting of zeolite and chitosan was developed and its antibacterial properties were evaluated against two representative bacterial strains: Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Zeolite, as a microporous aluminosilicate mineral, is a bioceramic and recent research has shown that these ceramics play an effective role in cases where high mechanical strength is required such as bone and dental scaffolds. Furthermore, Chitosan, a biodegradable natural polymer derived from chitin, was incorporated for its known antibacterial and wound-healing properties. Despite having suitable properties, chitosan does not have adequate mechanical strength as a polymer and therefore must be composited with a suitable ceramic, such as zeolite. The results revealed a significant inhibitory effect against E. coli, indicating high antibacterial activity of the composite against Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, a lower antibacterial response was observed against S. aureus. These findings suggest that the antibacterial activity of the biocomposite is influenced more strongly by chitosan, particularly in targeting Gram-negative organisms. The structural characteristics of this biocomposite were investigated with relevant analyses, and images of the biocomposite's antibacterial characteristics are also exhibited.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antibacterial property ، Zeolite ، Chitosan ، E. coli bacteria ، Staphylococcus bacteria