Production and Characterization of Keratin/Tragacanth Gum Nanohydrogels for Drug Delivery in Medical Textiles

Keratin protein has been applied for biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical resistance, and bioavailability. Tragacanth gum (TG) as a polysaccharide-based biopolymer wound healing antimicrobial properties. In this study, keratin was extracted from protein-based chicken feather by using reduction hydrolysis (sodium sulfide), nanogels of TG composites at different ratios were produced the chemical cross-linking method. Then, cinnamon (5 10%) an antibacterial herbal extract added coated on cotton fabric. The morphology size composite nanogels, structure, biological, properties evaluated. According DLS results, TGK2:1 (ratio = 2:1) had minimum (80 nm) PDI (0.1), therefore, sample chosen optimum one. FESEM TEM images showed semi-spherical shape nanogels. FTIR spectra revealed possible hydrogen bonding between components, formation disulfide bonds after addition peroxide confirmed XPS. After loading into increase in observed 80 nm free-nanogel 85 105 5 10% extract-loaded respectively. Besides, more released treated fabrics increasing time concentration. test exhibited good against both Gram-positive Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, MTT assay approved biocompatibility potential use medical textiles.