Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of multi–biofunctional properties of a novel chitosan–carboxymethylcellulose–Pluronic P123 hydrogel membranes loaded with tetracycline hydrochloride

Herein, we report a multifunctional hydrogel membrane with good mechanical properties, excellent antioxidant efficiency, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. For this purpose, a series of chitosan-carboxymethyl cellulose-Pluronic P123 (CHT-CMC-P123) hydrogel membranes were prepared by blending various tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) contents. The physicochemical and biological properties of CHT-CMC-P123 membranes were comprehensively investigated. With the increase of TCH content from 5 % to 20 %, hydrogel membranes presented a decreased water contact angle from 18.96° to 11.24°, and a decreased water vapor transmission rate from 171.8 to 156.1 g/m2 h. Besides, with the increase of TCH content (5-20 %), the tensile strength (0.31-0.11 MPa) and elongation at break (10.57-4.82 %) of hydrogel membranes decreased while their thickness increased (113.5-324.3 μm). The data show that the release of TCH reached equilibrium after 26 days, with a cumulative percentage of approximately 28 %-87 %. Moreover, the hydrogel membranes exhibited a high antioxidant capacity of ~92 % for DPPH radical. Importantly, the incorporation of TCH significantly (~2.3 fold) enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the hydrogel membranes against Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Based on our findings, these hydrogel membranes with superior properties may serve as effective food packaging and wound healing materials.