Virtual Booth

This study developed a bio-based hydrogel sheet (GreenHeal) from durian peel pectin and guava leaf extract as a sustainable antibacterial wound dressing. Hydrogel sheets were formulated with calcium chloride crosslinking and evaluated for liquid absorption, water retention, antibacterial activity (agar diffusion against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa), and wound closure (L929 scratch assay). GreenHeal achieved liquid absorption of 410 ± 20 mg/g, water retention of 49% at 24 h, inhibition zones of 19.5 ± 1.4 mm, and 82.4% wound closure by Day 7—significantly exceeding pectin-only and gauze controls (p < 0.05). Results demonstrate GreenHeal's potential as a low-cost, biodegradable wound dressing valorizing agricultural waste.