Opuntia ficus-indica (pickly pear-PP) plant extraction and production of chitosan (CS) additive biocomposite and investigation of its potential for use in biomedical applications

In this thesis, a Chitosan (CS) doped biocomposite was obtained by using Opuntia-Ficus Indica (PP) plant extract. Antibacterial and characterization analyses were performed to determine the potential of PP/CS biocomposite for use in biomedical fields. In the study, the PP extract obtained by the extraction process from the plant was dried and added to the CS solution in the proportions of 0,25%, 0,50% and 1% and biocomposites were prepared. After the casting process, Shake Flask method was applied to the prepared biocomposites as antibacterial analysis and absorbance values were measured with uv-vis spectrophotometer. The samples were subjected to SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) tests for characterization analysis. As a result of the study, it was observed that PP/CS biocomposite containing 1% PP can be used in drug coating, wound dressing material and buccal applications due to its high elasticity and antibacterial properties. It has been revealed that this situation varies depending on the amount of PP in the biocomposite.