Enhancing the antimicrobial effects of gelatin-based composite films extracted from kilka fish waste and xanthan gum using Anghozeh oil

Today, the use of natural materials in wound dressing has attracted more attention that can overcome the serious environmental problems caused by conventional synthetic materials. In this study, first gelatin was extracted from Caspian kilka fish waste and then used to make composite films in pure form (G), in combination with xanthan (GX) and Anghouzeh oil (GXA). Mechanical properties, swelling index and surface morphology of the films were investigated. The antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of G, GX and GXA films were also evaluated. The highest tensile strength was recorded for GX film (37.30±0.59MPa) and the lowest value was recorded for pure gelatin film (11.74±0.2MPa). For elongation at break, the highest value was measured in GXA film (54.87±0.21%) and the lowest was in G film (15.61±0.68%). The highest swelling index was recorded for GX film at 300±15.3%. GXA film presented the highest antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities. The results of these study showed that the film made of gelatin in combination with xanthan and Anghouzeh oil has ideal mechanical and antibacterial properties to use in wound dressing structure.