Bio-Nanocomposite Hydrogel Beads Based on Cellulose and Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Prepared by ex-situ and in-situ Methods for Antibacterial Applications

This study describes the fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite hydrogel beads based on Cellulose and synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) prepared by insitu and exsitu methods. The silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) by Sodium borohydrate (NaBH₄). Cellulose/Ag-NPs hydrogel beads were prepared using calcium chloride as the cross-linker. The hydrogel beads were characterized using FTIR and XRD. Moreover, swelling property of the cellulose /Ag-NPs hydrogel beads was investigated. The Ag release profile of the hydrogels was obtained for the amount of Ag released using Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The cumulative release of Ag-NPs was estimated by measuring the absorbance at 405 nm of samples obtained at various time intervals. The exsitu and insitu nanocomposite hydrogels showed greater swelling behavior in comparison with virgin cellulose hydrogel. Both insitu and exsitu cellulose/Ag-NPs presented good antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Bacillus and with maximum zones of inhibition 12 ± 2 mm more than the pristine cellulose hydrogel thereby, have great pharmacological potential and a suitable level of safety for use in the biological systems.