Clara Steinert

Bachelor student

Effect of PBS on the properties of freeze-dried methylcellulose-Manuka honey foams doped with bioactive glass for wound healing applications

 

Supervisor: Katharina Schuhladen, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

There are increasing research efforts dedicated to the development of novel antibacterial wound dressings. For this purpose, freeze-dried foams have been investigated concerning their wound healing properties. In a previous study, methylcellulose was used as a basic biomaterial to fabricate foams due to its biodegradability and availability [1]. A second component considered was Manuka Honey, to crosslink the methylcellulose molecules, and because of its antibacterial properties. For achieving better mechanical stability as well as bioactivity and antibacterial properties, borate bioactive glass particles containing copper were added to create multifunctional foms. This study will focus on improving the length of stability of such composite foams, investigating the foam degradation behaviour in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Moreover the best composition of all components in the foams for achieving improved wound healing purposes will be investigated.

[1] K. Schuhladen, P. Mukoo, L. Liverani, Z. Neščáková, A.R. Boccaccini, Manuka honey and bioactive glass impart methylcellulose foams antibacterial effects for wound healing applications, Biomed. Mater. (2020) in press.