Gelatin-Immobilized Cu(II) Metal Complex: Synthesis and Applications

Gelatin, resulting from collagen, a naturally occurring protein found in ligaments and tissues, is formed through the boiling of connective tissues, bones and animal skins, commonly sourced from cows. Its exceptional properties, including the ability to form strong, transparent gels and flexible films, easy digestibility, solubility in hot water and positive binding action, make gelatin a highly valuable resource in various industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, photography and paper production. It is regarded as non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable and generally safe for use. Gelatin serves as a key ingredient in the manufacturing of a wide range of products, with a notable example being hard gelatin capsules, which come in varying levels of solubility in water. In this study, a Schiff base was synthesized by modifying gelatin with salicylaldehyde in ethanol at room temperature, a mixture of gelatin-Schiff base added to appropriate copper chloride sonicated in ethanol, the mixture was poured onto glass plates and allowed to dry. Modified gelatin film was produced and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, while its surface properties were examined through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, the modified gelatin film’s potential biological activity was assessed against bacterial strains. The antibacterial screening tests revealed that the modified gelatin exhibited promising antibacterial activity against microorganisms, indicating an improvement in its antibacterial efficacy. These findings highlight the enhanced antibacterial potential of the modified gelatin film, further contributing to its versatility and potential applications in various fields. Different molecular weight distributions within the gelatin can lead to variations in film formation and subsequent surface features. Additionally, the composition of the gelatin film, including the presence of any crosslinking agents or modified functional groups, can further influence the resulting surface morphology. This study focuses on the preparation of modified gelatin films using suitable aldehyde compounds and explores their potential for pharmaceutical applications. Various techniques assessment of biological activity will be employed to investigate the properties and performance of the modified gelatin films.