title: Gelation time, homogeneity, and rupture testing of alginate-calcium carbonate-hydrogen peroxide gels for use as wound dressings.
abstract: The care of chronic wounds carries a heavy financial burden on the healthcare industry, with billons being spent annually on their treatment. This, coupled with a decreased quality of life for sufferers, has led to a real urgency in developing inexpensive wound dressings that promote wound healing. Alginate gels for application as wound dressings were formed by varying alginate (0%-6% w/v), calcium carbonate (0%-1% w/v), hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.75% v/v), and hyaluronic acid (0-1.25 mg/L) content. The aging effects on the physical properties of the gels over a 14-day period were also investigated. The results indicated that the concentration of calcium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, as well as sample age, all had a significant effect on the rupture characteristics and gelation time of the gels. Increased calcium carbonate content caused an increase in rupture force and rupture energy values, whereas increased hydrogen peroxide content and sample age resulted in a decrease in rupture force and rupture energy measurements. Increased calcium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide content produced a decrease in the time required for gel formation. Statistical models were also produced to provide a means of estimating rupture characteristics and gelation times for gels containing other concentrations of these components.
authors: Department of Science, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Co., Donegal, Ireland. brendan.alexander@lyit.ie.
authors: Brendan R
authors: BR
authors: Alexander
authors: Kathleen E
authors: KE
authors: Murphy
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Gallagher
authors: Garrett F
authors: GF
authors: Farrell
authors: Gertie
authors: G
authors: Taggart
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D005782:Gels; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002119:Calcium Carbonate