Bilayer wound dressing systems consisting of various biopolymers have been preferred in biomedical applications due to its enhanced advantages in comparison with conventional systems. The aim of this research was to develop a novel bilayer wound dressing based on gelatin (G) and gellan gum (GG). The bilayer was composed of an upper layer impregnated with antibiotic drug sodium ampicillin and a drug-free lower sponge layer. The bilayer hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, TGA, DSC and SEM analyses including swelling behaviors and hydrolytic degradation tests. To achieve faster healing of the wound by prevention of the bacterial infection, the bilayer hydrogels were developed as antibiotic-releasing vehicles. Herein, release study of sodium ampicillin was performed in PBS to simulate the physiological micro-environment. Additionally, cyto-compatibility tests of L929 fibroblast cells showed the high proliferation and survival through drug-loaded GG and G hydrogels (GG-G-D) after 24h, 48h and 72h incubation. This novel GG-G bilayer hydrogel could be a good candidate as wound dressing. Graphical abstract

Synthesis of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels as a Novel Drug Release Device for Wound Healing

This study explores a sustainable method for bioplastic production using agricultural waste. Polylactic acid (PLA)-based films were developed by incorporating cellulose extracted from rice husks (RH) and sunflower stalks (SS). The cellulose extraction process achieved an average efficiency of 85% based on total agricultural waste mass. Chemical structures of PLA and composite films were examined using FTIR spectroscopy. All films were flexible and transparent, with pure PLA films exhibiting higher transparency. Such properties make PLA films ideal for packaging, biomedical, and electronic applications due to their lightweight and adaptable nature. Films containing SS-derived cellulose showed slightly greater thickness (0.197–0.232 mm) compared to those with RH cellulose. FTIR analysis revealed interactions between PLA and cellulose, indicated by reduced intensity of the –OH stretching band at 3338 cm⁻¹ and PLA characteristic peaks at 1452, 1748, and 1181 cm⁻¹. These changes suggest hydrogen bonding and limited polymer chain mobility due to conformational adjustments. The spectra of composite films resembled those of PLA and cellulose, confirming enhanced crystallinity and molecular interactions. This is the first comparative study using cellulose from both RH and SS in PLA-based bioplastics, demonstrating their combined potential as sustainable reinforcements for biodegradable materials.