Feb 29: In a significant science breakthrough, scientists in India have developed an eco-friendly wound dressing material utilizing banana fibers, offering a sustainable solution for wound care. This pioneering effort, led by Prof. Devasish Chowdhury and Prof. (Retd) Rajlakshmi Devi at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), marks a remarkable advancement in utilizing agricultural waste for biomedical applications.
India, renowned as the world’s largest banana-farming country, generates a substantial amount of banana pseudo stems, often discarded as agricultural waste post-harvest. However, through innovative research, the IASST team has transformed these pseudo stems into a versatile and environmentally friendly dressing material.
New Study Reveals remarkable mechanical strength and antioxidant properties by Banana Fibers
The research, spearheaded by Prof. Chowdhury and Prof. Devi, along with Mridusmita Barman, a research scholar in the IASST-Deakin University Joint PhD program, combines banana fibers with biopolymers such as chitosan and guar gum. This fusion results in a multifunctional patch boasting remarkable mechanical strength and antioxidant properties.
More so, the researchers enhanced the patch by loading it with an extract from the Vitex negundo L. plant. This addition showcases the composite patch’s potential for in vitro drug release and antibacterial properties, elevating its utility in wound care.
Interestingly, all materials utilized in the creation of this dressing material from the banana fibers are natural and locally available, emphasizing its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and non-toxic nature.
Prof. Chowdhury emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of this research, 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 implications of this innovation extend beyond wound care, potentially benefiting farmers and minimizing environmental impact by providing an additional use for the abundant banana plant.
The study, recently published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules by Elsevier, underscores the significance of this research in the scientific community, heralding a new chapter in sustainable wound care using banana fibers.
Publication link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129653
