Design of multi-functional cotton gauze with antimicrobial and drug delivery properties

The ideal biomedical fiber/fabric materials can both promote the drug delivery properties and prevent microbial infection. Herein we present an innovation-based strategy for fabrication of biomedical cotton gauze which concomitantly displays antimicrobial and drug delivery performance properties. The innovative strategy involved three distinct steps: (1) Cationization of cotton gauze by reacting it with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride [Quat-188] or anionization of cotton gauze through partial carboxymethylation. (2) Thus modified samples of cotton gauze along with unmodified blank samples were submitted to in situ formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using trisodium citrate (TSC) which has three-fold functions: (a) reducing agent for conversion of Ag⁺ to Ag^o (atom), (b) stabilizing agent to prevent aggregation of AgNPs and, (c) linker for fixation of AgNPs on the surfaces of the cotton gauze. (3) All the modified and unmodified cotton gauze samples were loaded with oxytetracyline hydrochloride drug. To this end, characterization of the modified and unmodified cotton samples before and after being loaded with drug using state-of-the-art facilities was undertaken. These facilities comprised UV–vis spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscope and Infrared Spectroscopy by Attenuated total Reflectance (ATR/IR). Evaluation of the antimicrobial and drug release properties of the cotton gauze samples in question was conducting. Results obtained signified that the modified cotton gauze can be used in the area of biomedical textiles particularly as antimicrobial and drug delivery. Also reported were mechanisms entailed in chemical modifications of cotton gauze and interactions of this modified cotton gauze with antimicrobial as well as with drugs. - Highlights: • Multi-functionalization of cotton gauze was achieved through different strategies. • Cotton gauze was modified using cationizing agent, carboxymethlation, and in-situ silver nanoparticles incorporation. • Oxytetracyline hydrochloride as antibiotic drug loaded into all cotton gauze samples. • Antimicrobial as well as drug release properties onto cotton gauze is described. • The cotton gauze displays good antimicrobial and drug release properties.