Alginate – Gamat Gel Hydrogel Films as the Potential Wound Dressing

Abstract

Alginate is a biopolymer that is biodegradable, non-antigenic, non-toxic, and has high biocompatibility. Gamat gels of sea cucumber Stichopus horrens are used to treat pain, wounds, and other ailments. Victims suffering from burn wounds frequently complain of pain and discomfort while being bandaged. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of alginate as the base biomaterial for hydrogel films and its interaction with gamat gels bioactive components. Antioxidant activity assay was done to the gamat gels using DPPH assay. Hydrogel films were prepared with different alginate concentrations of 1% w/v, 3% w/v, and 5% w/v. Film degradation was analyzed using stereo microscope. Mechanical characteristics were evaluated based on tensile strength, brittleness, elasticity, adhesion capacity, and the ease when handling the films. Hydrolytic stability was evaluated based on swelling capacity and matrix stability. Antibacterial activity assay was carried out using disk diffusion on Staphylococcus aureus. Results show that gamat gels have DPPH inhibition capacity of IC50 = 2937.5 ppm. The alginate concentrations treatment resulted in films with different morphology. Films with 5% w/v alginate concentration exhibit a rough surface, the better tensile strength, capability to conform to various surfaces, good adhesion (average detachment time of 60 seconds), swelling capacity of 11,96 ± 13,80%, and matrix stability with the average weight loss of 33,26%. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that alginate was able to bond with Ca2+ ions and the gamat gels. Gamat gels show inhibition zone of ≤ 5 mm. Films with 5% w/v alginate concentration were able to release bioactive compounds.