Chitosan Derivatives For Wound Healing
Type of Proposal
Oral presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. B. Mutus
Proposal
Producing chitosan milliparticles and nanoparticles using micro-fluidic techniques. By complexing chitosan with copper, a catalytic transition metal, the complex has the ability to catalyze the reaction of nitrite ions to nitric oxide, with glucose present to act as a reducing agent. Naturally, the human body contains glucose and nitrite ions in the blood. In the case of a flesh wound, the body produces nitric oxide to help with healing. Research has shown that the presence of nitric oxide releasing nanoparticles significantly accelerated wound healing. By exploiting chitosan’s ideal properties, that is non-toxicity, antimicrobial activity, its ability to chelate and adsorb as well as its biocompatibility, nitric oxide releasing particles can be formed with the intention of biomedical applications. Nitric oxide released by milliparticles is measured and quantified by a Nitric Oxide Analyzer apparatus and nanoparticles will be analyzed using an assay-based approach. The chitosan polymer is cross linked using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether to increase the particle strength, in order for the particle to withstand varying conditions.
Start Date
29-3-2016 8:30 AM
End Date
29-3-2016 9:50 AM
Chitosan Derivatives For Wound Healing
Producing chitosan milliparticles and nanoparticles using micro-fluidic techniques. By complexing chitosan with copper, a catalytic transition metal, the complex has the ability to catalyze the reaction of nitrite ions to nitric oxide, with glucose present to act as a reducing agent. Naturally, the human body contains glucose and nitrite ions in the blood. In the case of a flesh wound, the body produces nitric oxide to help with healing. Research has shown that the presence of nitric oxide releasing nanoparticles significantly accelerated wound healing. By exploiting chitosan’s ideal properties, that is non-toxicity, antimicrobial activity, its ability to chelate and adsorb as well as its biocompatibility, nitric oxide releasing particles can be formed with the intention of biomedical applications. Nitric oxide released by milliparticles is measured and quantified by a Nitric Oxide Analyzer apparatus and nanoparticles will be analyzed using an assay-based approach. The chitosan polymer is cross linked using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether to increase the particle strength, in order for the particle to withstand varying conditions.