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Novel 3D printed polysaccharide-based materials with prebiotic activity for potential treatment of diaper rash
Tanja Zidarič1, Lidija Gradišnik1, Tjaša Frangež2
1University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
Insights
Novel 3D-printed diaper materials support beneficial skin bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis) to produce short-chain fatty acids, helping to prevent and treat diaper rash in infants.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Diaper rash, characterized by erythema and itching, significantly distresses infants and is linked to imbalanced skin microbiome.
- Probiotic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, and their metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids) are vital for a healthy skin microbiome.
- Prebiotics can selectively stimulate probiotic fermentation, and appropriate diaper materials can minimize skin exposure to irritants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel, 3D-printed carbon-rich materials for diaper top sheets.
- To enhance the probiotic activity of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
- To assess the potential of these materials in preventing and treating diaper rash.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of carbon-rich materials using 3D printing for diaper top sheets.
- Analysis of material properties: printability, chemical composition, swelling, and degradation.
- Microbiological evaluation of short-chain fatty acid production and in vitro biocompatibility testing with skin cells.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated printable, carbon-rich materials with suitable swelling and degradation characteristics.
- Demonstrated enhanced probiotic activity of Staphylococcus epidermidis on the developed materials, leading to in situ short-chain fatty acid production.
- Confirmed the safety of the materials through biocompatibility testing with skin cells.
Conclusions:
- A cost-effective method for producing novel diaper materials that support a healthy skin microbiome.
- The developed materials show promise in tailoring the skin's ecological balance and managing diaper rash.
- This approach offers a new strategy for improving infant skin health through advanced material science and microbiology.
Abstract:
Diaper rash, mainly occurring as erythema and itching in the diaper area, causes considerable distress to infants and toddlers. Increasing evidence suggests that an unequal distribution of microorganisms on the skin contributes to the development of diaper dermatitis. Probiotic bacteria, like Staphylococcus epidermidis, are crucial for maintaining a healthy balance in the skin's microbiome, among others, through their fermentative metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Using a defined prebiotic as a carbon source (e.g., as part of the diaper formulation) can selectively trigger the fermentation of probiotic bacteria. A proper material choice can reduce diaper rash incidence by diminishing the skin exposure to wetness and faeces. Using 3D printing, we fabricated carbon-rich materials for the top sheet layer of baby diapers that enhance the probiotic activity of S. epidermidis. The developed materials' printability, chemical composition, swelling ability, and degradation rate were analysed. In addition, microbiological tests evaluated their potential as a source of in situ short-chain fatty acid production. Finally, biocompatibility testing with skin cells evaluated their safety for potential use as part of diapers. The results demonstrate a cost-effective approach for producing novel materials that can tailor the ecological balance of the skin microflora and help treat diaper rash.
