Development and evaluation of ciprofloxacin-bacterial cellulose composites produced through in situ incorporation method.

This paper describes the interaction and properties of bacterial cellulose (BC)-ciprofloxacin composites synthesized by in situ incorporation method. Ciprofloxacin's susceptibility to BC's producer, , was first tested to determine its inhibitory activity against the bacteria. In situ incorporation method was performed by introducing 0.2% (w/v) ciprofloxacin into Hestrin-Schramm medium at the onset of exponential phase of growth. Following a 10-day incubation at 28 °C, BC-ciprofloxacin composites were harvested and further characterised, while another BC-ciprofloxacin composite was harvested and purified prior to characterisation. The interaction between ciprofloxacin and BC was proven by the presence of quinolines and fluorine groups of ciprofloxacin on unpurified BC-ciprofloxacin composite and the reduction of crystallinity index as compared to the native BC. Moreover, deposited ciprofloxacin crystals on BC film and its composition were exhibited via SEM-Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Unpurified BC-ciprofloxacin film was determined to have strongly inhibited the following selected diabetic foot ulcer bacteria: and . BC has the potential to be used as a wound dressing and a carrier for ciprofloxacin.