In the study, fabrication of Arabic gum (AG) hydrogels via reverse micellization method is reported. AG hydrogels were utilized as capping agents to encapsulate zinc sulphide (ZnS), and cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles via in-situ reduction. Pristine and nanocomposite hydrogels (AG-ZnS and AG-CdS) were characterized through SEM, EDX, TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, UV/Visible, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The hydrogels were subjected to multiple biological assays including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic formulation, in addition to biocompatibility test. The hydrogels were found to be more effective against bacterial and fungal strains. For instance, AG-ZnS exhibited excellent growth inhibition activity against Escherichia coli (ZoI: 12 ± 1.04 mm) and Candida albicans (35 ± 0.94 mm). Likewise, the nanocomposites hydrogel also displayed excellent DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging capacity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total reducing power (TRP) ability. Among the hydrogels, AG-ZnS demonstrated considerable α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibition potential. Above all, the hydrogels were found highly compatible with human red blood cells (hRBCs). Owing to remarkable antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and bio-compatible nature, the fabricated nanocomposites hydrogels have the potential to be explored in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and in environmentally friendly hygiene products.
Keywords: Antimicrobial hydrogels; Antioxidant hydrogels; Arabic gum; Biocompatible hydrogels; Nanocomposite hydrogels.
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