Development of a pH-Responsive Nanoantibiotic Hydrogel System Based on PVA/Pectin and Biomass-Derived Bacterial Nanocellulose for Antibacterial Wound Dressings

Wound healing remains a major clinical challenge, especially in the management of chronic and infected wounds, where conventional dressings often fall short in providing antimicrobial protection, moisture regulation, and support for tissue regeneration. To overcome these limitations, this study presents the development of a hydrogel-based wound dressing composed of minocycline hydrochloride and AgO-ZnO nanostructures in a Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Pectin matrix reinforced with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and tempo-oxidized bacterial nanocellulose (TOBNC) derived from kombucha biomass. AgO-ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation, while BNC was isolated using kombucha fermentation. The resulting hydrogel patches were fabricated and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and FESEM to confirm structural, morphological, and functional integration. Thorough investigations included antibacterial efficacy (<15% Viability), water vapor transmission (WVTR) (∼2250 g/m²·day), swelling behavior, cell migration (85 ± 0.16%), enzymatic degradation (∼22 ± 0.27%), and drug release profiling. The hydrogel patches exhibited high water uptake, controlled degradation, and strong antibacterial activity against common wound pathogens. This study underscores the potential of integrating organic and inorganic fillers along with minocycline to create advanced wound dressings. This work not only meets the structural and functional requirements of modern wound care but also advances the development of sustainable biomedical materials.