Cytotoxicity and antibacterial ability of scaffolds immobilized by polysaccharide/layered silicate composites

Chitosan and pectin/organic rectorite (OREC) were initially deposited on the surface of cellulose acetate electrospun nanofibers by a layer-by-layer (LBL) technique to fabricate scaffolds for bacterial inhibition, and the cytotoxicity of the LBL structured scaffolds was also investigated. A couple of opposite charged material, pectin and OREC, were firstly used to fabricate the intercalated composites. The intercalated structure was determined by selected area electron diffraction. Field-emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied for the characterization of LBL structured nanofibrous scaffolds. Antibacterial assay results showed that the diameters of the inhibition zone increased from 7.6 to 15.8 mm for Escherichia coli, as well as from 7.4 to 14.2 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, human epidermal (EP) cells grew well on the LBL films coating. These novel scaffolds could be an ideal candidate for wound dressings and food packaging.