Synthesis of Alginate Hydrogel Incorporated with Nanocellulose from Solid Waste Agar Industry as A Wound Dressing

Abstract

Hydrogels used in wound dressings must possess specific characteristics. The isolation of nanocellulose from the solid waste agar industry using deep eutectic solvents (DES) and its incorporation into alginate hydrogel as a wound dressing candidate have not been observed thus far. The objective of this study was to produce nanocellulose from the solid waste agar industry using different hydrated deep eutectic solvents (DES) and investigate the properties of alginate-incorporated nanocellulose (ALG-CEL) hydrogels as wound dressing candidates. This research was carried out by sample preparation and pretreatment of the solid waste agar industry, cellulose nanofibrillation, and hydrogel synthesis using selected nanocellulose with concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.6% (w/v). Pretreated solid waste contains cellulose and high ash content. The selected nanocellulose exhibited the highest yield, nanoscale fiber shape, and type-I cellulose with high crystallinity in the ChCl:urea treatment. The NC6 hydrogel showed the best characteristics, with a high gel content, swelling degree, tensile strength, and slow cumulative release. A controlled-release mechanism was identified for all treatments. The drug release kinetics of the ALG-CEL hydrogel fulfilled the Korsmeyer-Peppas model with the Fickian diffusion type. Nanocellulose from the solid waste agar industry improved the characteristics of alginate hydrogels and delivered drugs.