Simultaneous viscoelasticity and sprayability in antimicrobial acetic acid-alginate fluid gels
Thomas E Robinson1, Callum Clark2, Richard J A Moakes1
1Healthcare Technologies Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK.
Biomaterials Advances
|October 2, 2024
Summary
Alginate fluid gels enhance acetic acid
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Wound Care
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Acetic acid shows promise for topical wound treatment but lacks effective material properties for site specificity and retention.
- Current limitations hinder the clinical application of acetic acid in wound care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize alginate fluid gels incorporating acetic acid as both a gelling agent and antimicrobial agent.
- To improve the material properties and delivery of acetic acid for topical applications, particularly burn wounds.
Main Methods:
- Investigated acetic acid as a gelling agent and active antimicrobial in alginate fluid gels.
- Characterized the microstructure and material properties (viscosity, elasticity) in relation to acetic acid concentration.
- Assessed sprayability, surface retention, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Main Results:
- Fluid gel microstructure and material properties were highly tuneable with acetic acid concentration.
- At 2.5-5% acetic acid, fluid gels exhibited elastic dominance and significantly increased viscosity, enhancing surface retention and barrier function.
- Sprayability and coverage increased tenfold due to a discretised microstructure.
- Antimicrobial activity against key burn wound pathogens was maintained.
Conclusions:
- Alginate fluid gels offer a promising formulation strategy to overcome the limitations of acetic acid for topical antimicrobial applications.
- The developed fluid gels demonstrate improved material properties, enhanced delivery, and retained efficacy, making them suitable for burn wound management.
