Smart Antibacterial Sponge Based on Basil Seed Mucilage/Agar/Mandelic Acid with pH Responsive Feature by Butterfly Pea Extract

Abstract

The development of antimicrobial wound dressings is critical for enhancing wound healing and preventing infections. This study presented a novel antimicrobial sponge composed of both basil seed mucilage and agar with the addition of mandelic acid as an antibacterial agent, including the incorporation of butterfly pea extract as a pH sensitive substance. The sponges were fabricated through a freeze-drying process, using succinic acid as a crosslinking agent. The functional group analysis offered the infrared-shifted peak position of O-H stretching and O-H bending in basil seed mucilage/agar/succinic acid sponges with the addition of mandelic acid and the extract, indicating of hydrogen bond formation among the crosslinked natural polymers, mandelic acid and the extract. The morphology of the crosslinked sponges incorporated mandelic acid and the extract revealed the opened-cell structures with interconnected cell walls. The crosslinked antibacterial sponges greatly promoted their mechanical properties and gel fraction. The inclusion of mandelic acid did not change the porosity or water retention of the sponges, but the addition of the extract enhanced their swelling behavior. While mandelic acid improved antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; the extract, provided notable pH-responsive characteristics. The color measurement and cytotoxicity assay were also examined.