Cytotoxicity and hemostatic activity of chitosan/carrageenan composite wound healing dressing for traumatic hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage remains a big threat to trauma patients, especially in combat fields. Therefore, we formulated a biocompatible and biopolymer based chitosan/carrageenan composite dressing. This dressing was fabricated using freeze-drying that will serve as a promising material to promote hemostasis and tissue growth required during hemorrhage. The efficacy of dressing was evaluated for its physiochemical analysis, surface morphology, and biodegradability. Further, human dermal fibroblast cells were seeded on dressing and demonstrated non-toxic effects on the cells by showing enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. In vitro hemostatic properties of the dressing were analyzed by human Thrombin-Antithrombin assay. The dressing formed showed steady blood coagulation implying red blood cells and platelet adhesion that helped in thrombin formation, which is responsible for enhancing wound healing. Thus, it is concluded that the composite dressing can be a potent combination to accelerate hemostatic activity against hemorrhage and promote tissue growth for effective wound healing.

A novel green approach for dyeing polyester using glycerine based eutectic solvent as a dyeing medium.

In the past decade, water scarcity has become major concern and is going to be reality in future too. At the same time textile is necessity which needs a billion liters of fresh water for its processing. Out of this 16 % of water is only used for dyeing of textile materials. In a quest to develop a sustainable approach to reduce water scarcity, an attempt has been made to minimize water consumption in textile wet processing. In this work, an eco-friendly glycerine based eutectic solvent (GES) was prepared by using choline chloride, urea and glycerin to reduce water consumption in polyester dyeing. The prepared solvent was characterized in terms of FTIR. Dyeing parameters like time, temperature and pH were optimized for dyeing of polyester using GES as a dyeing medium. The efficacy of dyeing was analyzed by colour strength and colour performance properties; sublimation, wash and light fastness. In comparison with conventional dyed polyester overall dyeing performance was found to be better without affecting tensile strength of polyester which remains almost same whereas thermal stability of solvent dyed polyester was slightly improved compared with aqueous dyed polyester. The results obtained from this study suggest that the GES as a polyester dyeing medium can be a green approach in dyeing of polyester.

Hemostasis and anti-necrotic activity of wound-healing dressing containing chitosan nanoparticles.

Necrotic tissues are the dead tissues present in the wounded areas, which need to be removed for rapid wound healing. Various biopolymer-based dressings have been exploited to heal infected wounds, but with limited success. In a quest to develop an effective and economic wound dressing, a biodegradable dressing containing chitosan nanoparticles has been successfully developed. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method and then assembled into the porous chitosan dressing, by lyophilization. The resulting dressing was analyzed for morphology, porosity, pore volume, surface area and biodegradability. Higher surface area and porosity of the dressing facilitated its partial biodegradation by enzymatic action. In vitro cellular investigations with Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDF) confirmed the safety of the dressing for wound healing applications. Human Thrombin-Antithrombin (TAT) based in vitro ELISA assay, for evaluating the hemostasis activity, illustrated an accelerated hemostasis activity, through higher thrombin generation and stable blood clot formation. The blood in contact with the dressing contained two-fold higher levels of TAT, as compared to that in contact with the TAT standard. Our results suggest the potential of the developed dressing for removing the necrotic tissues and accelerating the hemostasis activity, for efficient and rapid wound healing.

Synthesis of glycinamides using protease immobilized magnetic nanoparticles.

In the present investigation, Bacillus subtilis was isolated from slaughterhouse waste and screened for the production of protease enzyme. The purified protease was successfully immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and used for the synthesis of series of glycinamides. The binding and thermal stability of protease on MNPs was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and TGA analysis. The surface morphology of MNPs before and after protease immobilization was carried out using SEM analysis. XRD pattern revealed no phase change in MNPs after enzyme immobilization. The processing parameters for glycinamides synthesis viz. temperature, pH, and time were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) by using Design Expert (9.0.6.2). The maximum yield of various amides 2 butyramidoacetic acid (AMD-1,83.4%), 2-benzamidoacetic acid (AMD-2,80.5%) and 2,2'((carboxymethyl) amino)-2-oxoethyl)-2-hydroxysuccinyl)bis(azanediyl))diacetic acid (AMD-3,80.8%) formed was observed at pH-8, 50 °C and 30 min. The synthesized immobilized protease retained 70% of the initial activity even after 8 cycles of reuse.

Bioscouring of cotton using lipase from marine bacteria Bacillus sonorensis.

Bioscouring refers to the enzymatic removal of impurities from cotton fabric, which imparts it with improved hydrophilicity for further wet processes. In the present study, the efficacy of lipase from newly isolated marine bacteria Bacillus sonorensis isolated from marine clams Paphia malabarica collected from Kalbadevi estuary, Mumbai, India, has been evaluated for scouring of cotton fabric and compared with conventional alkaline scouring of cotton. As a scouring agent for cotton fabrics, the lipase from B. sonorensis was capable of removing substantial amount of wax from the cotton surface and hydrolyzing it into fatty acids. Bioscouring carried out with lipase at a concentration of 8 % on the weight of the fabric (owf) at pH 9, temperature 60 °C for 120 min showed maximum weight loss and hydrophilicity. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the lipase-scoured fabric showed smooth surface indicating no damage to the fabric whereas the surface of the alkaline-scoured fabric appeared rough causing damage to the fabric. Evaluation of fabric properties such as wettability, whiteness, dyeing behaviour, tensile strength and bending rigidity revealed that the bioscouring using lipase from B. sonorensis is as effective as conventional alkaline treatment.

Characterization, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies of marine pectinase from Bacillus subtilis.

Characterization, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of purified pectinase from Bacillus subtilis, isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from Chinchani beach at Tarapore, India, were studied. Marine pectinase produced under submerged growth conditions was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by gel filtration chromatography using DEAE cellulose. Partial characterization of the marine pectinase was carried out in terms of effect of pH, temperature, substrate concentration, and metal ions. It was found that pectinase from marine B. subtilis showed maximal activity in alkaline buffer at pH 9.0 and at 40°C. It was also found that metal ions, namely, Mn(2+) and Fe(2+), stimulate pectinase activity. Marine pectinase followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the purified marine pectinase from B. subtilis were studied as the characterization of the enzyme is vital for its use in industrial processes.