Development of honey hydrogel dressing for enhanced wound healing

Radiation at 25 and 50 kGy showed no effect on the acidic pH of the local honey, Gelam, and its antimicrobial property against Staphylococcus aureus but significantly reduced the viscosity. Honey stored up to 2 years at room temperature retained all the properties studied. Radiation sterilized Gelam honey significantly stimulated the rate of burn wound healing in Sprague-Dawley rats as demonstrated by the increased rate of wound contraction and gross appearance. Gelam honey attenuates wound inflammation; and re-epithelialization was well advanced compared to the treatment using silver sulphadiazine (SSD) cream. To enhance further the use of honey in wound treatment and for easy handling, Gelam honey was incorporated into our hydrogel dressing formulation, which was then cross-linked and sterilized using electron beam at 25 kGy. Hydrogel with 6% of honey was selected based on the physical appearance

Rawatan plasma nitrogen suhu bilik untuk peningkatan fungsi penyembuhan pembalut luka

Pembalut luka kain kasa digunakan dalam pengurusan luka didapati tidak mampu mengekalkan persekitaran yang optimum untuk penyembuhan luka. Untuk mengatasi isu ini, rawatan plasma nitrogen tanpa terma telah dikenakan ke atas pembalut luka kain kasa menggunakan sistem pemendapan wap kimia secara peningkatan plasma berfrekuensi radio (RF-PECVD). Penyelidikan ini mengkaji kesan kuasa frekuensi radio (RF) yang berbeza (50, 60, 70, 80 dan 90 W) semasa rawatan plasma untuk mengenal pasti kuasa RF yang optimum dalam meningkatkan fungsi kain kasa sebagai pembalut luka yang ditentukan oleh sifat permukaan fabrik tersebut. Mikroskop elektron pengimbasan pancaran medan (FESEM) dan spektroskopi transformasi Fourier inframerah (FTIR) masing-masing telah digunakan untuk mengkaji morfologi dan ikatan kimia sampel tanpa rawatan dan sampel dengan rawatan plasma nitrogen. Imej daripada FESEM menunjukkan struktur gentian kain beralur dengan rekahan mikro pada semua permukaan sampel yang dirawat. Rekahan mikro yang paling ketara diperhatikan pada sampel yang dirawat dengan kuasa RF 50 W, 60 W dan 70 W. Spektrum FTIR menunjukkan terdapat peningkatan keamatan kumpulan berfungsi O-H dan C-O untuk sampel dengan rawatan plasma berbanding tanpa rawatan. Sampel yang dirawat dengan RF 70 W mempunyai kumpulan berfungsi C-N dan N-H dengan keamatan tertinggi. Kumpulan berfungsi tersebut berupaya menyumbang kepada peningkatan potensi kelekatan sel, kebolehbasahan dan biokeserasian fabrik. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa kesan kuasa RF semasa rawatan plasma nitrogen mampu mengubah suai sifat permukaan kain kasa seterusnya berpotensi meningkatkan fungsi fabrik tersebut sebagai pembalut luka

Macro-Size Regenerated Cellulose Fibre Embedded with Graphene Oxide with Antibacterial Properties

Macro-size regenerated cellulose fibres (RCFs) with embedded graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated by dissolving cellulose in a pre-cooled sodium hydroxide (NaOH)/urea solution and regenerated in sulphuric acid (H2SO4) coagulant. Initially, GO was found to disperse well in the cellulose solution due to intercalation with the cellulose; however, this cellulose–GO intercalation was disturbed during the regeneration process, causing agglomeration of GO in the RCF mixture. Agglomerated GO was confirmed at a higher GO content under a Dino-Lite microscope. The crystallinity index (CrI) and thermal properties of the RCFs increased with increasing GO loadings, up to 2 wt.%, and reduced thereafter. Cellulose–GO intercalation was observed at lower GO concentrations, which enhanced the crystallinity and thermal properties of the RCF–GO composite. It was shown that the GO exhibited antibacterial properties in the RCF–GO composite, with the highest bacterial inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus

Hydrogel Application in Urban Farming: Potentials and Limitations—A Review

Urban agriculture plays a vital role in ensuring the self-sufficiency of a great variety of fresh vegetables and nutrients. It promotes a sustainable food system as well as reducing the dependency on imports for the growing population. Urban farming has made it possible for agriculture practices to be implemented anywhere at any time in a sophisticated way. Hydrogel has been introduced in urban agriculture in the past few decades. However, the application of hydrogel in urban agriculture is still being explored in terms of hydrogel types, structure, physical and chemical properties, change due to external factors, and its suitability for different plant species. This review discusses the potentials and limitations of hydrogel in different application conditions. We present the state of knowledge on hydrogel production and crosslinking methods, hydrogel characteristics, water absorption and release mechanisms of hydrogel, hydrogel advantages and limitations, and current and future applications in urban farming

Optimisation of Nitrogen Plasma Exposure Time for Surface Modification of Cotton Fibre

Surface modification via plasma treatment is useful in improving textile-based wound dressing functionality. This study was conducted to optimise the nitrogen plasma exposure time and its effect on the cotton surface (CS) properties at a constant nitrogen flow rate of 20 sccm for 5 to 30 min. The optimisation was done by analysing the alteration in morphology, functional group composition, crystallinity phase, electrokinetic charge, and colour of CS as subjected to nitrogen plasma. CS experienced an etching effect due to the presence of microcracks on its surface, with its electrokinetic charge becoming less negative, ranging from -5.51 to -1.32 mV. Then, the nitrogen functional group was detected on CS ranging from 2.9% to 4.5%, with its whiteness index reduced to 8.67% compared to the pristine cotton. As a result, 20 min was selected as the optimum exposure time for surface treatment because the exposure time of 30 min showed an early sign of degradation, which reduced its crystallinity index by 11.1%. Apparently, activated CS experienced slight changes in its molecular structure without affecting its bulk properties. Thus, the plasma-modified CS is useful in creating a biocompatible wound dressing that can anchor therapeutic biomaterial and improve healing