Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Containing Saffron and Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) offers an environmentally friendly approach for developing antibacterial hydrogel materials. In this study, AgNPs were synthesized using Physalis angulata papery husk extract and incorporated into a saffron-containing polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) hydrogel. The effects of AgNP incorporation on hydrogel morphology, swelling, porosity, wettability, and antibacterial activity were investigated. AgNP incorporation resulted in a more compact and heterogeneous porous structure, accompanied by decreases in the swelling ratio from ۲۶۴% to ۱۸۹% at ۱۰ min and in porosity from ۷۰.۱۴% to ۵۶.۳۳%. The AgNP-containing hydrogel remained hydrophilic, with a contact angle of approximately ۷۸°. It exhibited antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), whereas the AgNP-free hydrogel showed no detectable inhibition. Overall, incorporation of green-synthesized AgNPs provided antibacterial functionality to the PVA/SA hydrogel while modifying its structural and physicochemical properties.

کلیدواژه ها:

Silver nanoparticles ، Green synthesis ، PVA/SA hydrogel ، Saffron ، Antibacterial activity