New Delhi: In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), India, have developed an eco-friendly wound dressing material utilizing banana fibres, offering a sustainable solution for wound care.
Led by Prof. Devasish Chowdhury and Prof. (Retd) Rajlakshmi Devi, the research team ingeniously transformed banana pseudo stems, typically discarded as agricultural waste, into a multifunctional patch with outstanding mechanical strength and antioxidant properties.
India, being the world’s largest banana-farming country, generates a surplus of banana pseudo stems after harvest. Recognizing the potential of this abundant resource, the scientists combined banana fibres with biopolymers such as chitosan and guar gum to create the innovative dressing material. Additionally, the patch was loaded with an extract from the Vitex negundo L. plant, showcasing its capabilities in in vitro drug release and antibacterial activity.
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The use of natural and locally available materials in the manufacturing process ensures simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and non-toxicity. This groundbreaking research, recently published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules by Elsevier, signifies a significant advancement in wound care technology.
Prof. Chowdhury expressed optimism about the potential impact of this eco-friendly dressing material, stating, “This investigation opens the door to a new era in wound healing, offering a low-cost, reliable, and environmentally friendly alternative that holds significant potential in biomedical research.”
The development of the banana fibre-biopolymer composite dressing not only addresses the need for sustainable wound care solutions but also underscores the potential of utilizing agricultural waste for beneficial purposes. The researchers envision broader applications for the abundant banana plant, which could benefit farmers while minimizing environmental impact.
This pioneering research marks a significant milestone in the scientific community, promising a revolution in wound care with its wide-ranging applications and positive implications for both health and the environment.
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