Development of new polypropylene surgical sutures coated with antibacterial silver nanoparticles and carboxymethylpullulan bioactive molecules

Infection of surgical site is known as the most serious complication after operation. In order to prevent this type of infection use of antibacterial sutures becomes a necessity. The main purpose of this paper is the implementation of new process for producing polypropylene surgical suture with antibacterial effect and the investigation of their mechanical and antibacterial characteristics. Developed sutures (PP CMP /Ag nanocomposite) were obtained by grafting silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) combined to carboxymethylpullulan (CMP) bioactive molecules on the surface of polypropylene surgical suture by a simple dipping procedure. Surface of developed surgical sutures was examined by microscopies with atomic force (AFM) and electron scanning (SEM). Qualitative analysis of the potential reaction between chemical compound and polypropylene fiber was done by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Quantitative analysis of silver content on the surface of surgical sutures was examined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Mechanical performances of grafted sutures were investigated before and after incubation into phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS). Finally, antibacterial effects of developed sutures against Staphylococcus aureus before and after incubation into PBS were verified. Obtained results proved the role of CMP bioactive molecules in the stability of mechanical performances of PP CMP /Ag nanocomposites in biological fluid and the enhancement of antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles.