Evaluation of Nano‐Zinc Borate Effects on Thermal Properties, Morphology, Antibacterial Activity, and Drug Release Behavior of Starch/Gelatin Hydrogel Films for Biomedical Applications

ABSTRACT

Starch and gelatin offer opportunities for use due to their non‐toxicity, biocompatibility, physical and functional properties. In this study, different amounts of nano‐zinc borate were added to starch/gelatin composition for biological applications and their properties were studied. The structure of the films was investigated by various techniques. Nanostructured zinc borate was synthesized using a chemical method and particle sizes were determined as 196 nm. The atenolol drug was doped into the polymer composite. The atenolol release was performed at pH 7.4 and in phosphate‐buffered saline solution medium. Cumulative drug release was 76% with the inclusion of nano‐zinc borate in the polymer mixture. The atenolol release was approximately 50%–70% in films with nano‐zinc borate added after 300 min. Furthermore, thermal resistance of the films improved with the addition of nano‐zinc borate. The investigated chemical compound exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), with significantly greater potency compared to Gram‐negative bacteria (E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Notably, the formulation containing 1.5% starch, 0.5% gelatin, and 1% nano‐zinc borate demonstrated broad‐spectrum efficacy against all tested pathogens, highlighting its potential as a promising antibacterial agent. The observed differential activity against bacterial strains suggests that fine‐tuning the concentrations of starch, gelatin, and nano‐zinc borate may optimize antibacterial efficacy and broaden the spectrum. The results showed us that non‐toxic and biocompatible polymer films can be realized in pharmaceutical industry systems and biomedical applications.