Today’s Solutions: November 02, 2024

While it’s rather uncommon to come across tropical fruits like durian at your local grocery store, these unusual fruits are quite popular in Singapore, where scientists have recently figured out a way to turn discarded durian husks into sustainable and affordable antibacterial hydrogel bandages.

Although hydrogel bandages are nothing new, current versions are typically made of synthetic polymers featuring silver or copper ions with antibacterial properties. These polymers are most often non-biodegradable and come from non-renewable sources. Plus, the addition of the metal ions increases the cost of the bandages.

The new hydrogel version, developed by researchers at Nanyang Technological University, instead taps into the regional availability of durian husks, which typically end up thrown away or composted.

To create the bandage, the team extracted high-quality cellulose from the husks and then combined it with two other ingredients, namely glycerol (a byproduct of soap production) and natural yeast phenols (commonly used in baking bread). The end result is a soft germ-killing gel that resembles silicone in texture and can be cut into sheets.

When testing its performance, the scientists found that the material exhibited “good antimicrobial effects” for up to 48 hours. And in addition to being effective at killing germs, the durian-based hydrogel bandages are also more affordable than their conventional counterparts and are also biodegradable.

“By using waste products which are currently discarded in large quantities – durian husks and glycerol – we could turn waste into a valuable biomedical resource that can enhance the speedy recovery of wounds and reduce chances of infections,” said Prof. William Chen, who led the research team.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

This heartwarming Danish ad breaks down the ‘Us vs Them’ narrative

It’s rare that we publish a story about an advertisement, but then again it’s rare that an ad stirs so much emotion within its ...

Read More

NOAHs: Charlotte has a formula for long-lasting affordable housing

We recently shared how empty retail space could be the solution to California’s affordable housing crisis. Across the country in North Carolina, the city ...

Read More

A seat at the table for underrepresented communities

Climate change is already affecting all of us—however, those that bear the brunt of these consequences are predominantly from low-income, marginalized, BIPOC communities. So ...

Read More

Expanding democracy: Michigan opens new doors for formerly incarcerated voters

Malijah Gee's path from incarceration at the age of 17 to imminent freedom reflects the longing for a voice that has been suppressed for 36 years. ...

Read More