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A new kind of Camellia sinensis -loaded nanocomposite hydrogel based on modified gelatin/iron-metal-organic framework was developed as an antibacterial wound dressing. Gelatin as a biocompatible natural polymer was modified with methacrylate anhydride to produce gelatin methacrylate. Thereafter, acrylic acid and acrylamide were grafted on gelatin methacrylate during an aqueous polymerization process. To enhance the porosity, mechanical strength, and drug loading capability of the hydrogel and reduce its toxicity, iron- based metal-organic framework was incorporated within the hydrogel. To add more functionality to the final wound dressing, Camellia sinensis , an antibacterial herbal drug was loaded on the hydrogel. The structural and chemical properties of prepared nanocomposite hydrogel were investigated by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TGA techniques. The incorporation of iron-based metal-organic framework within the hydrogel matrix led to an increase in its water absorption value from 400.10 to 547.96 (g/g). The release study of Camellia sinensis (CS) extract from the prepared nanocomposite hydrogel exhibited a sustained release manner. The antibacterial test revealed the nanocomposite hydrogel contain extract has an effective antibacterial function against " Bacillus serous ", " Staphylococcus aureus ", " Streptococcus mutans "," Escherichia coli ", " Klebsiella pneumoniae ", and " Pseudomonas aeruginosa " bacteria. Therefore, the synthesized nanocomposite is a good candidate as an antibacterial hydrogel wound dressing.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study highlights the fabrication of novel food-grade hydrogel particles based on pectin and starch for probiotic colon delivery. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC:13643 ( L. plantarum ) cells were encapsulated in pectin/starch hydrogels by extrusion method. Four batches were formulated with different ratios of starch/pectin solutions. Optical and scanning electron microscopy obviously showed the random distribution of L. plantarum throughout the hydrogel network. The viability of encapsulated cells in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and bile salt solution was significantly higher when compared to nonencapsulated cells. Results demonstrated that encapsulated cells in pectin/starch hydrogels were resistant against adverse conditions of the gastro–intestinal tract and bile salt solution compared to non-encapsulated cells. After sequential exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) for 2 h almost complete death of free cells was observed however the numbers of surviving cells were 5.15 and 6.67 Log CFU/g for pectin and pectin/starch hydrogel, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]