Development of Anti-bacterial PVA/Starch Based Hydrogel Membrane for Wound Dressing

Wound infection is the primary challenge in the wound care management. To facilitate patients, the health care sector is trying to use the modern technology in the field of wound management. Various cellular processes and biological environments are intertwined in the process of wound repair. The compulsion for the modern dressing is not only to cover the wound but also to facilitate the healing rate of wound. In this research, the hydrogel membranes were prepared by crosslinking poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) with starch by using glutaraldehyde. Turmeric was added as an anti-bacterial agent. 0.5 g of turmeric showed the highest anti-bacterial activity among different turmeric contents used. For physical and mechanical characterization, the hydrogel membrane without turmeric (neat hydrogel) and 0.5 g were selected. FTIR of both hydrogel membranes confirmed the presence of free hydroxyl groups. Moreover, hydrogel membrane containing turmeric resulted stronger hydrogen bond interaction. Mechanical analysis of hydrogel membrane revealed sufficient strength to be used as wound dressing. The SEM images evolved that both hydrogel membranes were dense in nature. The swelling behavior values were greater than 100% for both hydrogel membranes. The water vapor transmission rate for 0.5 g turmeric hydrogel membrane was 52.85 g/m²h.