Fabrication of chitosan/sericin/polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber with silver nanoparticles for wound dressing applications

Abstract Developing wound dressings with healing properties is a crucial requirement, especially in developing countries. In this research work, chitosan is extracted from Monomia gladiator crab shells for the first time to fabricate a novel wound dressing. The prepared chitosan (CS) is blended with silk sericin (SS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in three different ratios of PVA:CS:SS (100:0:0), PVA:CS:SS (80:10:10) – AgNPs, and PVA:CS:SS (50:25:25) – AgNPs to produce nanofibers. The developed nanofibers were analyzed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM), tensile testing, and antibacterial activity to study their fiber size, tensile strength, and bactericidal properties, respectively. The cell viability test against L929 cells demonstrates that the prepared wound dressing is noncytotoxic and facilitates cell proliferation. In vivo research on a full‐thickness excision wound model states that the incorporation of SS, CS, and AgNPs into the PVA introduces a novel multifunctional advancement in wound dressing, offering versatile benefits by promoting reepithelialization and collagen deposition. In summary, PVA:CS:SS(50:25:25)‐AgNPs can serve as an excellent wound dressing. Highlights CS extracted from Monomia gladiator crab shells. The extracted CS is blended with SS, PVA and AgNPs to fabricate nanofibers. The inclusion of CS and SS exhibited good tensile strength and antibacterial activity. PVA:CS:SS(50:25:25)‐AgNPs served as an excellent wound dressing.