A Review on Revolutionary Natural Biopolymer-Based Aerogels for Antibacterial Delivery

Abstract

A biopolymer-based aerogel has been developed to become one of the most potentially utilized materials in different biomedical applications. The biopolymer-based aerogel has unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties and these properties are used in tissue engineering, biosensing, diagnostic, medical implant and drug delivery applications. Biocompatible and non-toxic biopolymers such as chitosan, cellulose and alginates have been used to deliver antibiotics, plants extract, essential oils and metallic nanoparticles. Antibacterial aerogels have been used in superficial and chronic wound healing as dressing sheets. This review critically analyses the utilization of biopolymer-based aerogels in antibacterial delivery. The analysis shows the relationship between their properties and their applications in the wound healing process. Furthermore, highlights of the potentials, challenges and proposition of the application of biopolymer-based aerogels is explored.

Keywords: aerogel; antibacterial; biopolymer; drug delivery; nanocellulose; wound healing.

Figure 1

Number of scientific publications in the last ten years, contributing to the subject “biopolymers aerogels” by year (Search conducted through Science Direct on 9 September 2020 (From 2009 to 2019)).

Figure 2

Scanning Electron Microscope images for the chitosan-based aerogel. Adapted from Rubina et al. [39].

Figure 3

Scanning Electron Microscope images of (a) mix 1:3 (cellulose nanocrystal/cellulose nanofiber) aerogel, (b) mix 1:1 aerogel, (c) mix 3:1 aerogel, (d) cellulose nanocrystal aerogel, (e) cellulose nano fiber aerogel. Adapted from Zhang et al. [47].

Figure 4

Internal section Scanning Electron Microscope images of: (a) 5% w/w Ca-Alginate aerogel, (b) 5% w/w Cu-Alginate aerogel, (c) 10% w/w Ca-Alginate aerogel, (d) 10% w/w Cu-Alginate aerogel, (e) 15% w/w Ca-Alginate aerogel, (f) 15% w/w Cu-Alginate aerogel. Adapted from Baldino et al. [54].

Figure 5

Schematic drawing of biopolymers antibacterial aerogels.

Figure 6

Properties of vancomycin-loaded chitosan aerogels, adapted from López-Iglesias et al. [105].

Figure 7

Schematic drawing of conventional dressing materials and antibacterial aerogel.

Figure 8

(a) Schematic illustration of simulating injection aerogel composites into the wound, (b) digital photos of aerogel with rapid shape recovery after water absorption. Adapted from Fan et al. [157].