Researchers at the Lodz University of Technology (Politechnika Łódzka) have developed an innovative wound dressing made from a substance formed from the shells of crustaceans called chitin.
Their research showed that the growth of model Gram-positive bacteria was hindered in the presence of hydrogel comprising chitosan, as compared to regular hydrogel dressing. Hydrogel wound dressing is mechanically durable and elastic, thus it easily adapts to the shape of particular body part and is widely used for wound treatment.
With antimicrobial resistance becoming a worldwide health threat, the innovative wound cover has the possibility of preventing tens of thousands of infections. This advancement would also increase preparedness for mass casualty burn and wound treatments.
The team used the manufacturing method of regular hydrogel dressings with a radiation technique used to form hydrogels with chitosan dissolved in lactic acid.
Read the study in the Journal of Radiation Physics and Chemistry: Chitosan-containing hydrogel wound dressings prepared by radiation technique.