B Mohanapriya Balasubramaniam

India

Development of chitosan-PVA-coconut nano cellulose composite patches incorporated with metal oxides for advancing wound healing

B Mohanapriya Assistant professor Department of Biotechnology Rathinam college of arts and science coimbatore

Abstract

Background

Chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure sores, and infected burns fail to heal properly due to persistent inflammation, microbial infection, and poor tissue regeneration. Traditional dressings are often inadequate as they cannot maintain moisture balance or provide antimicrobial protection. Biomaterial-based wound dressings offer a promising alternative by mimicking the skin’s extracellular matrix and promoting cell proliferation. Nanocellulose derived from coconut fibers is a renewable and biocompatible material with high tensile strength, moisture retention, and excellent surface functionality. When combined with chitosan, PVA, and metal oxides such as ZnO, TiO₂, and MgO, the resulting composite patch may offer superior antimicrobial activity, mechanical stability, and enhanced wound-healing potential.

Methods

Coconut nanocellulose was extracted through alkaline treatment, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis to obtain nanoscale cellulose fibers. Chitosan was dissolved in 1% acetic acid and blended with PVA under controlled heating and stirring to form a uniform polymer matrix. The extracted nanocellulose was incorporated into the chitosan–PVA mixture, followed by the addition of metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO/TiO₂/MgO). The composite solution was cast into molds and crosslinked using glutaraldehyde vapor or citric acid. The prepared patches were dried and subjected to characterization using FTIR, SEM, XRD, tensile strength analysis, and swelling behavior tests. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using Mueller-Hinton agar against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Biocompatibility was assessed using MTT assay on fibroblast cells, and wound-healing potential was analyzed by in vitro scratch assay.

Results

The extracted coconut nanocellulose displayed a uniform nanoscale fiber structure with high purity. The composite patches showed improved mechanical strength, flexibility, and water-holding capacity compared to polymer-only films. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful integration of nanocellulose and metal oxides into the polymer matrix. The patches exhibited notable antimicrobial activity, with metal oxide–reinforced samples showing maximum inhibition zones. Cytotoxicity studies indicated good biocompatibility with >80% fibroblast viability. Scratch assay results demonstrated enhanced wound closure rates, confirming the potential of the composite patches for promoting tissue regeneration.

Conclusions

The study successfully developed a biocompatible, eco-friendly, and mechanically strong chitosan–PVA–coconut nanocellulose composite patch incorporated with metal oxides. The material showed excellent antimicrobial, structural, and cytocompatible properties, making it a promising candidate for advanced wound-healing applications. With its low-cost coconut-based nanocellulose and high healing efficiency, the composite patch has strong potential for commercialization and future clinical translation. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate long-term safety and therapeutic effectiveness.