Pectin-chitosan film as wound protectant

In this study, pectin-chitosan bilayer film was used to protect the minor wounds of the patient with adequate adhesiveness and could withstand physical exertion. The pectin layer acted as adhesive due to its water absorptive nature and the chitosan layer acted as protectant layer with its non-water absorptive nature, providing barrier to water during shower activities. Five formulations of the film were made which were pectin film which acted as the control, pectin-0.5% chitosan film, pectin-1.0% chitosan film, pectin-1.5% chitosan film and pectin-2.0% chitosan film. The films were evaluated by thickness test, surface morphology test, stickiness and peelability test, wetting and swelling test, folding endurance test, and tensile strength and extensibility test. Pectin-1.5% chitosan film was the thickest matrix among all films. Pectin-2.0% chitosan film exhibited the highest grittiness, most brittle due to the presence of pores on the surface of the film. It swelled until it folded into a roll and had the highest tensile strength. Pectin with no chitosan exhibited the highest folding endurance and the highest extensibility. Depending on the nature of stress, films with low chitosan content are deemed suitable when folding stress exists, whereas films with high chitosan contents are appropriate for use under tensile stress.