PVA-bentonite composite for wound dressing

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process involving various systems of the body like circulatory system, immune system and the actions of epithelial cells. Wound dressings are used to accelerate the process of wound healing. An ideal wound dressing must have the characteristics of providing moist environment, an ability to absorb the wound fluids, protection from secondary microbial infections and most importantly it must be biocompatible. In the current study two types of wound dressing materials were synthesized one with the compositions of PVA and organically modified bentonite (OBENT) and other with PVA, OBENT and honey. Bentonite clay provided the suitable mechanical, chemical and physical properties for the dressing; honey provided the antimicrobial properties along with skin beneficiary properties that it naturally possess. Further the dressings prepared were comparatively analyzed by various characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques. The wound dressing samples were subjected to swelling, water vapour transfer rate and antimicrobial studies. From the above studies, it can be concluded that PVA-OBENT composites without honey could be used for high fluid and exudate releasing wounds whereas PVA-OBENT composites with honey are suitable for dry wounds.