Produção de filmes compósitos à base de Gelatina, Bentonita e Sulfanilamida para aplicação como cobertura para feridas

Abstract

There has been much discussion about the treatment and social and economic damage of wounds. This topic has become increasingly relevant due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this sense, one of the approaches to treating infected wounds is the use of antimicrobial composite materials. Based on this, the objective was to develop composite films based on Gelatin, Bentonite, and Sulfanilamide with antimicrobial activity for wound dressings. The starting materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The composite films were characterized for water absorption capacity, moisture content, solubility, and in vitro antimicrobial capacity. For the analysis of the results, the ANOVA statistical test was applied, considering p < 0.1. The results of the tests for moisture, water absorption capacity, and solubility were significant at the probability level, with some films absorbing more than 200% in 60 minutes. Through simultaneous optimization using Box-Behnken design, an ideal formulation containing 14.88% Gelatin (w/v), 15% glycerol (v/v), and 2.5% Bentonite (w/w) was obtained. The insertion of Sulfanilamide into the Bentonite structure was carried out by cation exchange at different pHs, and its entry was confirmed by XRD and TGA, where it was attested that the pH (pH = 4 and pH = 7) did not interfere with the amount of adsorbed antibiotic, remaining around 5%. Composite films containing antibiotics were effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli microorganisms, qualifying them as promising wound dressings.