DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings
Document Type
Paper Presentation
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Gigantone Jr., Marcelino G.
Abstract/Executive Summary
Medical waste is an overlooked issue posing a significant environmental and public health threat, with 4.7 billion tons generated annually, accounting for 3% of overall waste, and wound dressing pads being a major contributor. Vitamin C, involved in all phases of wound healing, demonstrates synergy with Chitosan, a polysaccharide ideal for medical and cosmetic applications. Milkfish (Chanos chanos) skin, a dominant commercial fish in the Philippines, shows synergy with Chitosan and Vitamin C in wound healing. Thus, aligning with SDGs 3, 12, and 13, this study aims to synthesize and evaluate AsclePad, a sustainable wound dressing pad infused with Chitosan and Vitamin C in a process of descaling, decellularization, and infusion. The physical and biochemical properties of the AsclePad were then evaluated through an In Vitro Degradation Assay (IVDA), Agar-Well Diffusion Assay (AWDA), Tensile Strength Test (TST), and Histological Staining (HS). IVDA showed an average weight loss of 0.27g and oxidation for AsclePad, indicating biodegradability, while the control exhibited insignificant degradation. AWDA confirmed antimicrobial efficacy but showed no significant difference between Chitosan, Vitamin C, and the Chitosan and Vitamin C Complex. TST showed no significant difference in tensile strength between AsclePad and the control. HS revealed minimal debris after decellularization. Thus, AsclePad demonstrated similar physical properties to commercial bandages while offering antimicrobial benefits, highlighting its potential as a sustainable wound care solution.
Keywords
Chitosan; Milkfish; Vitamin C; sustainable medicine; wound dressing pad