The aim of this work was to establish whether novel curdlan-based hydrogels enriched with Ca²⁺ ions may be considered as potential candidates for dressings, for the acceleration of skin wound healing. Firstly, biomaterials were allocated for evaluation of structural and mechanical properties. Subsequently, the ability of hydrogels to absorb simulated wound fluid and water vapor permeability, as well their capacity to release calcium ions, was evaluated. The biocompatibility of biomaterials was assessed using normal human skin fibroblasts. Importantly, the main features of the obtained curdlan-based hydrogels were compared with those of KALTOSTAT^® (a commercial calcium sodium alginate wound dressing). The obtained results showed that curdlan-based biomaterials possessed a mesoporous structure (pore diameter ranged from 14–48 nm) and exhibited a good ability to absorb simulated wound fluid (swelling ratio close to 974–1229%). Moreover, in a wet state, they enabled proper water vapor transmission rate (>2000 g/m²/day), thanks to their hydrogel structure. Finally, it was found that biomaterial composed of 11 wt.% of curdlan (Cur_11%) possessed the most desirable biological properties in vitro. It released a beneficial amount of calcium ions to the aqueous environment (approximately 6.12 mM), which significantly enhanced fibroblast viability and proliferation. Taking into account the beneficial properties of Cur_11% biomaterial, it seems justified to subject it to more advanced cell culture experiments in vitro and to in vivo studies in order to determine its precise influence on skin wound healing.

Nowadays, ibuprofen and ketoprofen are widely used over-the-counter medications to treat inflammation, fever, or pain. Their high consumption and improper disposal cause them to get into the environment and often pollute surface water. In this study, the new polymeric porous microspheres based on 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) are presented as effective sorbents for ibuprofen and ketoprofen preconcentration and removal. The porous microspheres were obtained via seed swelling polymerization with the use of two types of methacrylate crosslinkers, i.e., trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) and 1,4-dimethacryloiloxybenzene (14DMB). Additionally, as a reference sorbent, a copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene was obtained. Porous structure investigations showed that the microspheres possess a specific surface area of about 100 m²/g, but noticeable differences were observed in their internal topography depending on the type of crosslinker used. Moreover, the porous structure of dry and swollen microspheres differs significantly. Swollen copolymers reveal the presence of micropores. The 4VP microspheres are characterized by high thermal stability; their initial decomposition temperature is about 300 °C. The performance of the 4VP copolymers as sorbents in aqueous solutions of drugs was evaluated in static and dynamic modes at three pH values of 3, 7, and 11. The highest sorption efficiency was obtained for ibuprofen and ketoprofen in pH 3. Both 4VP copolymers indicate the high sorption capacity in a static sorption as follows: towards ketoprofen of about 40 mg/g whereas towards ibuprofen of about 90 mg/g and 75 mg/g on copolymer crosslinked with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate and 1,4-dimethacryloiloxybenzene, respectively. The recovery of ibuprofen and ketoprofen after dynamic sorption experiments was higher than 90%.

The utilization of plant based fillers: onion peels (OP) and durum wheat bran (WB) to obtain sustainable biocomposite materials with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is presented in this paper. The biocomposites were first obtained in pellet form by extrusion method and then injection moldings were made from the pellets. Two kinds of biocomposites were fabricated containing 15% and 30% wt. of OP or WB. Additionally, pure PBS moldings were prepared for comparative purposes. The effect of the filler type and its amount on the chemical structure, density, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties of the fabricated composite samples was studied. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the composite preparation method had no effect on the chemical structure of composite components, but weak interactions such as hydrogen bonding between OP or WB and PBS was observed. The addition of OP or WB to the composite with PBS reduced its thermal stability in comparison with pure PBS, all studied composites start to degrade below 290 °C. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the composites are worse than PBS, as the impact strength dropped by about 70%. The deterioration of tensile strength was in the range 20–47%, and the elongation at maximum load of the composites was in the range 9.22–3.42%, whereas for pure PBS it was 16.75%. On the other hand, the crystallinity degree increased from 63% for pure PBS to 79% for composite with 30% wt. of WB. The Young’s modulus increased to 160% for composition with 30% wt. of OP. Additionally, the hardness of the composites was slightly higher than PBS and was in the range 38.2–48.7 MPa. Despite the reduction in thermal stability and some mechanical properties, the studied composites show promise for everyday object production.