Development and Characterization of Bioactive Glass Containing Composite Coatings with Ion Releasing Function for Antibiotic-Free Antibacterial Surgical Sutures

Resorbable (Vicryl((R)) Plus) sutures were coated with zinc-doped glass (Zn-BG) and silver-doped ordered mesoporous bioactive glass (Ag-MBG) particles by a dip coating technique. A multilayer approach was used to achieve robust coatings. The first coating was a polymeric layer (e.g., PCL or chitosan) and the second one was a composite made of BG particles in a polymer matrix. The coatings were characterized in terms of morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro bioactivity, and antibacterial properties. Chitosan/Ag-MBG coatings showed the ability to form hydroxyl-carbonate-apatite on their surfaces after immersion in SBF. An antibacterial effect against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria was confirmed, highlighting the potential application of the coated sutures for antibiotic-free approaches.