o:36134 Composite hydrogel with silver nanoparticles and mushroom β-glucan extract as potential wound dressing en Puffballs are a group of macrofungi that produce enclosed, globose fruiting bodies. When young, they have a solid white interior (gleba), which turns into a powdery, brown spore-bearing mass as they mature. These fungi have been used in folk medicine worldwide, primarily as wound dressings. Since fungal β-glucans are known to aid in wound healing, this study utilized the β glucan-enriched fraction from the pestle puffball (Lycoperdonexcipuliforme) to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which were incorporated into alginate-based hydrogels for potential wound treatment. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using silver nitrate, sodium citrate, and varying concentrations of β-glucan extract as stabilizing agents: 0.4 mg/mL (S1), 0.8 mg/mL (S2), 1.6 mg/mL (S3), and 2.4 mg/mL (S4). Particle size was approximately 30 nm for all samples, with zeta potential ranging from -22.3 to -13, increasing with the extract concentration. A one-year stability study at room temperature showed minimal changes in UV-VIS spectra and particle size distribution, despite relatively low zeta potential, suggesting steric stabilization by β-glucan extract. To assess stability in physiological conditions, samples were diluted in 0.85% NaCl solution, and size distribution and UV-VIS absorption were monitored for seven days. Sample S4 exhibited the highest stability and was selected for further experiments. Its antibacterial activity was tested against common wound-infecting bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using the broth microdilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 35 µg/mL for both strains, with minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 120 µg/mL and 240 µg/mL, respectively. S4 was then used to prepare an alginate-based hydrogel, and a release study was conducted to assess the product’s potential efficacy. The hydrogel was made by mixing equal volumes of AgNP suspension and 4% sodium alginate solution, with the addition of 4% CaCl₂ solution in a circular mold. The release study, conducted in TRIS buffer (50 mM) with 0.85% NaCl at varying pH levels over 72 hours, showed pH-dependent release. At pH 8.5 (similar to that of infected wounds), an effective AgNP concentration (~35 µg/mL) was reached after ~3 hours, increasing to ~100 µg/mL after 72 hours. These results suggest that fungal β-glucans are excellent stabilizing agents for AgNPs and that the combination of β-glucans’ immunostimulatory and AgNPs’ antibacterial properties may have a synergistic effect in the treatment of infected wounds. Hydrogel containing AgNPs both prolonged, and pH-dependent release of the particles. wound dressing, hydrogel, silver nanoparticles, β-glucan, mushrooms, puffballs 1552100 978-99955-81-52-7 2025-04-22T10:40:42.560Z 44 yes 46 Tomislav Markovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade, Serbia Jasmina Stojkovska University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade, Serbia person Jovana Zvicer University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade, Serbia person Bojana Balanc University of Belgrade, Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Serbia person Aleksandra A. Jovanović University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, Serbia doktor tehnoloških nauka person 0000-0001-5394-0125 Branko Bugarski University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy person Predrag Petrovic University of Belgrade, Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Serbia person application/pdf 4378173 https://phaidrabg.bg.ac.rs/o:36134 no yes 19 70 92000004 11A29 11A2910 11A41 Composite hydrogel with silver nanoparticles and mushroom β-glucan extract as potential wound dressing 16 16 Proceedings of the IX International Congress “Engineering, Environment and Materials in Process Industry” – EEM2025 Ethno Village Stanišići, Bosnia and Herzegovina Faculty of Technology, University of East Sarajevo 2025