Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

<b>Background:</b> In this study, we aimed to develop and optimize unique eco-friendly gelatin–alginate hydrogels enriched with sustainable grape skin extract for advanced wound healing applications. <b>Methods:</b> Following confirmation of the extract’s antioxidant activity...

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Main Authors: Jovana Bradic, Anica Petrovic, Aleksandar Kocovic, Vukasin Ugrinovic, Suzana Popovic, Andrija Ciric, Zoran Markovic, Edina Avdovic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/790
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author Jovana Bradic
Anica Petrovic
Aleksandar Kocovic
Vukasin Ugrinovic
Suzana Popovic
Andrija Ciric
Zoran Markovic
Edina Avdovic
author_facet Jovana Bradic
Anica Petrovic
Aleksandar Kocovic
Vukasin Ugrinovic
Suzana Popovic
Andrija Ciric
Zoran Markovic
Edina Avdovic
author_sort Jovana Bradic
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> In this study, we aimed to develop and optimize unique eco-friendly gelatin–alginate hydrogels enriched with sustainable grape skin extract for advanced wound healing applications. <b>Methods:</b> Following confirmation of the extract’s antioxidant activity, hydrogels were synthesized by varying gelatin content and CaCl<sub>2</sub> concentration to achieve desirable crosslinking density, mechanical properties, and extract release behavior. Physicochemical characterization of hydrogels included equilibrium swelling analysis, mechanical testing, FTIR analysis, and in vitro release of extract from hydrogel. Moreover, the biocompatibility of hydrogels enriched with extract was assessed via MTT assay, while antimicrobial activity was tested against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> ATCC 25923, <i>Escherichia coli</i> ATCC 25922, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> ATCC 10145, and <i>Candida albicans</i> ATCC 10231. The antioxidant capacity of the hydrogels was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. <b>Results:</b> Our results showed that higher gelatin and CaCl<sub>2</sub> concentrations produced denser crosslinked networks, leading to reduced swelling and increased stiffness. Additionally, the extract exhibited a biphasic release profile from hydrogels, featuring an initial rapid release followed by sustained release over 24 h. <b>Conclusions:</b> The hydrogels maintained high biocompatibility and demonstrated selective antimicrobial activity, particularly against <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and satisfactory antioxidant activity. Obtained multifunctional sustainable hydrogels enriched with grape skin extract represent promising agents for managing skin conditions associated with oxidative stress and bacterial infections.
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spelling doaj-art-d94a66a629184f74ba87f5c3401da5ed2025-08-20T02:21:49ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-06-0117679010.3390/pharmaceutics17060790Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial PropertiesJovana Bradic0Anica Petrovic1Aleksandar Kocovic2Vukasin Ugrinovic3Suzana Popovic4Andrija Ciric5Zoran Markovic6Edina Avdovic7Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica, 69, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica, 69, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica, 69, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaInnovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy Ltd., Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, SerbiaCentre for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica, 69, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaFaculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovica 12, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaDepartment of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, State University of Novi Pazar, Vuka Karadzica bb, 36300 Novi Pazar, SerbiaInstitute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijica bb, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia<b>Background:</b> In this study, we aimed to develop and optimize unique eco-friendly gelatin–alginate hydrogels enriched with sustainable grape skin extract for advanced wound healing applications. <b>Methods:</b> Following confirmation of the extract’s antioxidant activity, hydrogels were synthesized by varying gelatin content and CaCl<sub>2</sub> concentration to achieve desirable crosslinking density, mechanical properties, and extract release behavior. Physicochemical characterization of hydrogels included equilibrium swelling analysis, mechanical testing, FTIR analysis, and in vitro release of extract from hydrogel. Moreover, the biocompatibility of hydrogels enriched with extract was assessed via MTT assay, while antimicrobial activity was tested against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> ATCC 25923, <i>Escherichia coli</i> ATCC 25922, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> ATCC 10145, and <i>Candida albicans</i> ATCC 10231. The antioxidant capacity of the hydrogels was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. <b>Results:</b> Our results showed that higher gelatin and CaCl<sub>2</sub> concentrations produced denser crosslinked networks, leading to reduced swelling and increased stiffness. Additionally, the extract exhibited a biphasic release profile from hydrogels, featuring an initial rapid release followed by sustained release over 24 h. <b>Conclusions:</b> The hydrogels maintained high biocompatibility and demonstrated selective antimicrobial activity, particularly against <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and satisfactory antioxidant activity. Obtained multifunctional sustainable hydrogels enriched with grape skin extract represent promising agents for managing skin conditions associated with oxidative stress and bacterial infections.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/790grape skinshydrogelsbiopolymersantioxidantantimicrobial activity
spellingShingle Jovana Bradic
Anica Petrovic
Aleksandar Kocovic
Vukasin Ugrinovic
Suzana Popovic
Andrija Ciric
Zoran Markovic
Edina Avdovic
Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties
Pharmaceutics
grape skins
hydrogels
biopolymers
antioxidant
antimicrobial activity
title Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties
title_full Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties
title_fullStr Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties
title_full_unstemmed Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties
title_short Development and Optimization of Grape Skin Extract-Loaded Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels: Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties
title_sort development and optimization of grape skin extract loaded gelatin alginate hydrogels assessment of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
topic grape skins
hydrogels
biopolymers
antioxidant
antimicrobial activity
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/790
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