Rethinam Senthil

Synthesis and characterization of biosheet impregnated with Macrotyloma uniflorum extract for burn/wound dressings.

Developing biomaterials having wound healing properties within the search of a common man is the need of hour, particularly in developing and third world countries. Keeping this objective in view we have developed a wound dressing material, in sheet form, containing fish scale collagen (FSC) and physiologically clotted fibrin (PCF), both are by products of aqua food and meat industries respectively. To impart antimicrobial properties to the composite sheet, it was incorporated with Macrotyloma uniflorum plant extract (MPE). SEM pictures have shown that FSC:PCF:MPE composite has fibrous and porous surface which helps in transportation of oxygen as well as absorbing wound fluids and their evaporation. The biomaterials have shown 100% biocompatibility and the percentage cell viability was found to be above 89%. The FSC:PCF:MPE biocomposite film with required mechanical strength, biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties can be tried as a burn/wound dressing material.

Recycling of finished leather wastes: a novel approach

Preparation of leather like material, i.e., regenerated leather (RGL) from finished leather wastes is economical and helps in reducing environmental pollution. Incorporating plant fibers (PFs) into RGL enhances its mechanical properties. Plant fibers are exploited as reinforcement materials owing to their low cost, fairly good mechanical properties, high specific strength, non-abrasive, eco-friendly and bio-degradability characteristics. Fiberized leather wastes and PFs were mixed in various proportions to prepare regenerated leather composites (RLCs). Plant fibers viz., coconut, sugarcane, banana and corn silk were used for the study. RGL and RLCs were characterized physicochemically using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Results clearly portrayed that PFs significantly improved the mechanical and thermal properties of RLCs. Among the composites, RLC prepared using leather waste and coconut fiber (50:40 ratio) proved to be a better composite with potent properties. RLCs are promising for the preparation of leather goods and footwear materials in addition to its cost-effectiveness and environmental pollution abatement.Graphical Abstract

Quercetin impregnated chitosan-fibrin composite scaffolds as potential wound dressing materials - Fabrication, characterization and in vivo analysis.

&NA; The present study efforts at fabricating chitosan–fibrin composite (CF) scaffolds impregnated with quercetin for wound dressing application and aims at investigating their physicochemical properties. CF scaffolds were prepared by mixing acidic solution of chitosan with an alkaline solution of fibrin, to which quercetin (Q) was added, homogenized and lyophilized obtain Q‐CF scaffold. FTIR spectra were used to determine the interactions between the functional groups of quercetin and CF scaffolds. TGA analysis revealed the decomposition of saccharide rings and amino acids of chitosan and fibrin at the temperature range of 255–400 °C. Q‐CF scaffold exhibited maximum tensile strength of 1.45 MPa, an ideal mechanical strength for a wound dressing material. Q‐CF scaffolds exhibited good bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Biocompatibility of Q‐CF scaffold was assessed using MTT assay, which elucidated its non‐toxic property and excellent suitability for tissue engineering applications. In vivo wound healing experiments performed using albino rats revealed that topical application of Q‐CF scaffold on open excision type of wounds can significantly accelerate the process of wound healing. These results suggest that Q‐CF scaffold could serve as a promising wound dressing material. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available.

Utilisation of finished leather wastes for the production of blended fabrics

Ignorance regarding finished and used leather wastes leads to environmental pollution. Conversion of these solid wastes into energy and resource efficient products proves to be challenging. Nevertheless, leather fibres (LFs) were extracted from these solid wastes and they are mixed with various proportions of natural (cotton, CF) and synthetic (polyester, PF) fibres to prepare LF:CF and LF:PF composites. These composites were further processed into leather blended yarns (LBYs) and leather blended fabrics (LBFs). The fibres, LBYs, LBFs were characterized for their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed the structure and compactness of the yarn. Mechanical properties of LBYs and LBFs were promising, which enables their use in leather and textiles industry applications. Blended fabrics made from LF:CF and LF:PF were of good quality with smooth finish. Hence, the study has unravelled a novel concept of fabric manufacture which is energy efficient, eco-friendly and cost effective.Graphical Abstract

Leather fibres as reinforcement for epoxy composites: A novel perspective

Developing composite materials with better mechanical and electrical properties is the need of hour, particularly in developing and third world countries. Keeping this objective in view, composite material was prepared, in sheet form, containing leather fibres (LF), isolated from used leather products. Reinforced composite material was produced using LF as reinforcing material for epoxy resin (ER) laminates. To impart additional strength, charcoal carbon nano particles (CCNP) were incorporated (LF:ER:CCNP) in the composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the samples have revealed the chemical nature and thermal stability of the composites, respectively, while SEM pictures revealed the fiber-matrix interface. LF:ER:CCNP possessed good mechanical properties viz., tensile strength, elongation at break (%), flexural strength, hardness etc, in addition to its electrical property. Hence, the composite possess multifunctional applications, it addition to its cost effectiveness and environmental pollution abatement.

Leather Insole with Acupressure Effect: New Perspectives

Some wastes contain many reusable substances of high value. Solid leather waste is one such potential waste which can be converted into value added products. This study attempts to prepare leather insoles with acupressure effect from finished leather wastes and used leather wastes. Leather with acupressure effect (LAE) was fabricated using regenerated leather. LAE was characterized physico-chemically using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Foot pressure measurements were done using LAE insoles on healthy individuals. Results proved that LAE insoles were able to increase the foot pressure of the wearer and thereby created an acupressure effect in them. Wearing of footwear with LAE insoles were beneficial compared to regular insoles. LAE possessed the required mechanical properties for insole production and it was also biodegradable in nature. The study proves that these composites could be successfully used for the production of cost-effective leather goods and therapeutic footwear. Production of useful byproducts from wastes is income generating and at the same time reduces environmental pollution and a feasible technology for waste recycling has been proved in this study.

Efficacy of chitosan films with basil essential oil: perspectives in food packaging

Use of edible antimicrobial films in food packaging helps to prevent post harvest decay of food materials. Hence, basil oil—incorporated chitosan films were investigated for this purpose. Basil oil, an important essential oil with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was added to chitosan in various proportions and their properties were studied. Chitosan was derived from squid pens, a prominent waste of the food processing industry. Antifungal activity was evaluated using four important food pathogenic fungi viz, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. Chitosan and basil oil individually inhibited the complete growth of the microbes at 0.5% concentration, while their synergistic effect was proved at 0.1%. Thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the thermal stability and smooth morphology of the composite films respectively. The antioxidant activity and water barrier properties of the composite films were enhanced due to the essential oil incorporation, while there was a reduction in tensile strength and elongation at break. Thus, the addition of basil oil to chitosan has promisingly improved the film properties thereby making it amenable for food packaging applications.Graphical Abstract

New Approaches for the Effective Utilization of Fish Skin Wastes of Aluterus monoceros

Context: Unicorn leatherjacket (Aluterus monoceros) is an export quality fish mainly used for fillet production, the skin of which is discarded as waste due to its toughness. Wastes emanated from the fish processing industry have become an important source of environmental pollution. Aim: The study investigates the potentials of A. monoceros skin to produce value-added products viz., fish leather and fish meal. Materials and Methods: 5 kg of fish skin from 20 kg of fish was used for the present study. Leather produced from fish skin was characterized for its physico-chemical properties using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), etc. Biochemical components viz., protein, fat, and salt content of the fish skin were also estimated. Results: Leather produced from fish skin possessed 88 MPa tensile strength. Biochemical estimations proved that the fish skin had 28% protein content. Conclusion: On the basis of the characterization and evaluation results, it could be concluded that this processed fish skin could be used for leather goods production. In addition, this fish skin could be included as a component in fish meal preparation.