Preparation and evaluation of biocomposites as wound dressing material

Conversion of finished leather waste incorporated with plant fibers into value added consumer products - An effort to minimize solid waste in Ethiopia

Presently, the leftovers from leather product industries are discarded as waste in Ethiopia. The objective of the present study was therefore, to prepare composite sheets by incorporating various plant fibers like enset (Ensete ventricosum), hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus), jute (Corchorus trilocularis L.), palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and sisal (Agave sisal) in various proportions into the leather waste. Resin binder (RB) and natural rubber latex (NRL) were used as binding agents for the preparation of the composite sheets. The composite sheets prepared were characterized for their physicochemical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, stitch tear strength, water absorption, water desorption and flexing strength). Composite sheets prepared using RB having 10% hibiscus, 20% palm and 40% sisal fibers showed better mechanical properties than their respective controls. In composite sheets prepared using NRL having 30% jute fiber exhibited better mechanical properties than its control. Most of the plant fibers used in this study played a role in increasing the performance of the sheets. However, as seen from the results, the contribution of these plant fibers on performance of the composite sheets prepared is dependent on the ratio used and the nature of binder. The SEM studies have exhibited the composite nature of the sheets and FTIR studies have shown the functional groups of collagen protein, cellulose and binders. The prepared sheets were used as raw materials for preparation of items like stiff hand bags, ladies' purse, keychain, chappal upper, wallet, wall cover, mouse pad and other interior decorating products. By preparing such value added products, we can reduce solid waste; minimize environmental pollution and thereby securing environmental sustainability.

A Possible Wound Dressing Material from Marine Food Waste

Purpose

Bluefin Trevally (Caranx melampygus) fish is mainly used for fillet production, the bones of which are discarded as a major solid waste in the fish food processing industry. In the present study, novel collagen films were prepared using the bones of Bluefin Trevally (BT). The study investigates the potential of using this collagen film as a wound dressing material.

Methods

The prepared collagen films (CFs) were characterized for their physicochemical properties using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), tensile strength, elongation at break, etc. In vitro studies using human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) also proved the biocompatibility of CF. The CFs were used as wound dressing material on the experimental wounds of rats and the healing pattern was evaluated using planimetric and histopathological studies.

Results

CF prepared from the bones of BT possessed better mechanical properties. The in vitro studies demonstrated its biocompatible nature. Acceleration of wound healing in CF-treated rats was evident in the in vivo studies.

Conclusions

The study has devised a process for using fish waste in the preparation of a value-added product like wound dressing material. The CF with the required strength, biocompatibility and wound healing properties may be tried as a wound dressing material in large animals after obtaining the necessary approval.

Biomedical applications of soy protein: A brief overview

Soy protein (SP) based materials are gaining increasing interest for biomedical applications because of their tailorable biodegradability, abundance, being relatively inexpensive, exhibiting low immunogenicity, and for being structurally similar to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues. Analysis of the available literature indicates that soy protein can be fabricated into different shapes, being relatively easy to be processed by solvent or melt based techniques. Furthermore soy protein can be blended with other synthetic and natural polymers and with inorganic materials to improve the mechanical properties and the bioactive behavior for several demands. This review discusses succinctly the biomedical applications of SP based materials focusing on processing methods, properties and applications highlighting future avenues for research.

A review on management of chrome-tanned leather shavings: a holistic paradigm to combat the environmental issues

Raw hide/skins come to the tanners as a by-product of meat industry which is converted into value-added leather as product for fashion market. Leather manufacturing is a chemical process of natural biological matrix. It employs a huge quantity of water and inorganic and organic chemicals for processing and thereby discharges solid and liquid wastes into the environment. One of the potential solid wastes generated from leather industry is chrome-tanned leather shavings (CTLSs), and its disposal is increasingly becoming a huge challenge on disposal to tanners due to presence of heavy metal chromium. Hence, finding a sustainable solution to the CTLS disposal problem is a prime challenge for global tanners and researchers. This paper aims to the deeper review of various disposal methods on CTLS such as protein, chromium, and energy recovery processes and its utilization methodologies. Sustainable technologies have been developed to overcome CTLS solid wastes emanating from leather processing operations. Further, this review paper brings a broader classification of developed methodologies for treatment of CTLSs.