Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Development of a Benchtop Model for Evaluating the Compatibility of Wound Dressing Materials with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems
Published on: May 2, 2025
Development of a fluid-absorptive alginate-chitosan bioplatform for potential application as a wound dressing
Hillary Mndlovu1, Lisa C du Toit1, Pradeep Kumar1
1Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutics Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa.
Abstract:
This study introduces a novel approach in fabricating bioplatforms with favourable physical, chemical, and mechanical properties for wound dressing applications. The approach employs a three-step method; partial-crosslinking of polymers into soft macromatrices, lyophilization, and pulverization of those macromatrices to obtain polymer particles with improved properties. For investigation of this approach, the ionic polysaccharides, sodium alginate and chitosan were partially crosslinked with calcium chloride and sodium tripolyphosphate, respectively, followed by interpolymer complexation (IPC) for formation of the bioplatform. The formulations displayed good thermal stability with enhanced water uptake. The IPC exhibited water uptake of 4343.4% over 24 h and displayed 78% biodegradation over 14 days, which was superior to that of a commercial alginate-based wound dressing (1612.56% swelling and 16.26% biodegradation). The bioplatform thus possessed promising fluid-absorptivity and biodegradability, for potential application as a wound therapeutic system.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Absorption: Factors Affecting GI Absorption
Standard Electrode Potentials
Carbohydrate Absorption
After being swallowed, the partially digested carbohydrates mix with gastric secretions in the stomach. However, the acidic environment...
Absorption of Nutrients
Enterocytes, which are specialized polar epithelial cells, line the mucosa of the small intestinal walls. These cells...
Protein Absorption
Lipid Absorption
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...

