Sustainable Durian Rind Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Poly(vinyl) Alcohol Hydrogels Synthesis for Enhancing Crosslinking...

This study developed hydrogels from durian rind-derived carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC_d) blended with poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) for biomedical applications. The influence of NaOH concentration (10-60% w/v) on the degree of substitution (DS) of CMC_d and the crosslinking properties of the resulting hydrogels was examined. Durian rind, a biodegradable and renewable resource, was transformed into CMC_d with DS values ranging from 0.17 to 0.94. The highest yield (230.96%) was achieved using 30% NaOH (CMC_d-30). This CMC_d-30 was combined with PVA and crosslinked using citric acid to form a hydrogel with maximum crosslinking efficiency (86.16%). The resulting CMC_d-30/PVA hydrogel exhibited a high swelling ratio (125.54%), reflecting its superior water absorption and functional group availability-key traits for biomedical use. Methylene blue (MB) release from the hydrogel extended up to 1440 min, confirming its drug delivery potential. Overall, the CMC_d-30/PVA hydrogel demonstrated promising biocompatibility potential and performance, making it a promising candidate for wound dressings and controlled drug delivery systems. This work highlights the potential of agricultural waste valorization in developing sustainable and efficient biomaterials for pharmaceutical and medical applications.