본 연구에서는 용액 중 플라즈마 공정을 이용하여 젤라틴/Ag 나노입자(AgNP) 용액을 제조하고 동결 건조하여 3차원 비계 형태의 생체복합재료를 성공적으로 제조하였다. 본 공정에서는 환원제 사용 없이 플라즈마 방전 중 수소 라디칼과 Ag 이온의 환원을 통해, 젤라틴 기지재 내에 지름 12~20 nm 크기의 구형 AgNP가 효과적으로 형성되었다. 젤라틴 농도가 높을수록(3%) AgNP의 분산안정성이 좋았으며, 3차원 비계 형태의 젤라틴의 미세공 조직이 작아지고 밀도가 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 AgNP의 농도가 높을수록(5 mM) 항균효과가 좋았는데, Ag5G3 생체복합재료를 사용했을 때 황색포도상구균의 생장은 44% 감소되었고, 대장균의 생장은 100% 감소되어 그람 음성균에 대한 항균력이 더 좋은 것으로 나타났다.
Gelatin/Ag nanoparticle (AgNP) biocomposite was synthesized using the solution plasma process (SPP) that has been recently introduced as an effective method for synthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, gelatin/AgNP biocomposite was synthesized using various concentrations of Ag precursor ($AgNO_3$) and gelatin in the range of 1-5 mM and 1-3% (w/w), respectively, without using any chemical reducing agent. Physical properties of the gelatin/AgNP biocomposites were analyzed using EDS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The results indicated that spherical AgNPs with approximately 12~20 nm in diameter were synthesized successfully in the gelatin matrix by SPP. As the concentration of gelatin was increased (3%, w/w), disperse stability of AgNP was improved and micro-pores of gelatin became smaller and denser in the 3D scaffold. Bactericidal activity of the AgNPs was examined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by measuring zone of growth inhibition and decrease in colony forming unit (CFU). CFUs of S. aureus and E. coli were decreased approximately to 56% and 0%, respectively, by the gelatin/AgNP biocomposite, Ag5G3.
