Asian Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Fungal contamination of wounds and biomedical surfaces remains a relevant challenge in infection management, and hydrogel-based antimicrobial materials may provide a useful platform for localized protection. In this study, a silver nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel was prepared using a κ-carrageenan, polyethylene glycol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer matrix and evaluated for antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. The hydrogel formulation was prepared by blending aqueous polymer solutions, followed by incorporation of silver nanoparticles at 10 ppm and potassium chloride-mediated stabilization. The resulting AgNP-loaded hydrogel formed a uniform sheet with a light brown appearance, while the nanoparticle-free hydrogel served as the control. Antifungal activity was assessed using two in vitro models representing contaminated and freshly exposed wound-like conditions. In the treatment model, A. niger was spread over agar plates, and hydrogel sheets were placed on the inoculated surface. The AgNP-loaded hydrogel produced visible inhibition of fungal growth at the hydrogel–agar interface, whereas the control hydrogel did not show comparable antifungal activity. In the preventive model, a biphasic nutrient-containing hydrogel system was prepared with one half containing AgNPs and the other half without nanoparticles. After inoculation with A. niger, fungal growth was observed on the control side, while the AgNP-containing region showed visible suppression of colonization. These findings indicate that incorporation of AgNPs into the κ-carrageenan/PEG/PVP hydrogel matrix retained antifungal activity under the tested in vitro conditions. Further physicochemical characterization, quantitative antifungal analysis, cytocompatibility testing, and in vivo evaluation are required before biomedical application can be established.