Chitosan–Keratin Hydrogel Scaffolds Enriched with Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Extract: Physicochemical Properties and Antibacterial Effect

Mohammadpour, Safoura; Rutivand Ghiyasvand, Zahra; Besharati, Maryam

doi:10.22034/ibhf.2025.557894.1044

Chitosan–Keratin Hydrogel Scaffolds Enriched with Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Extract: Physicochemical Properties and Antibacterial Effect

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Safoura Mohammadpour ¹

Zahra Rutivand Ghiyasvand ²

Maryam Besharati ³

¹ Parshan Tos Azma Company, Mashhad health science and Technology Park-Bu Ali Research -Institute, Mashhad, Iran.

² Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Kosar University of Bojnord, Bojnord. Iran

³ Assistant Professor , Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science,, Kosar University of Bojnord.

10.22034/ibhf.2025.557894.1044

Abstract

In recent years, natural biopolymers have attracted growing attention for developing smart wound dressings to enhance tissue regeneration and prevent bacterial infections. In this study, hydrogel scaffolds based on chitosan and keratin were fabricated and reinforced with Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract at concentrations of 2.5% and 5%. The chemical and morphological properties were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Physical tests including swelling ratio, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and biodegradation were performed, while antibacterial activity was evaluated to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that rosemary incorporation improved hydrogen bonding, structural uniformity, and water vapor permeability (~2979 g/m²/24 h), while reducing degradation rate. Moreover, the extract exhibited the strongest antibacterial effect against S. aureus with an MIC value of 50 mg/mL. Overall, the chitosan–keratin–rosemary (5%) hydrogel demonstrated promising physicochemical stability and bioactivity, making it a potential bioactive wound dressing for infected wounds.

Keywords

Chitosan-keratin hydrogel

Rosemary extract

Bio-scaffold

Antibacterial activity

Wound healing

Subjects