Abstract:

For many years, an increasing demand has been observed for biological dressings which
could protect wounds at particular stages of healing. Composite materials with a content
of antibacterial fibres and/or different functional forms of chitosan were developed at the
Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres (IBWCh). These materials may be used
for dressings applied over the initial healing period, often on wounds accompanied by
inflammations. We assumed that the antibacterial content would suppress the infection,
whereas chitosan would facilitate the wounds’ healing and shorten the recovery period.
Tests were carried out in order to manufacture bioactive composite materials in the form
of needle-punched nonwovens and sponges. We used modified polypropylene staple fibres
with confirmed antibacterial properties and selected chitosan forms in the shape of fibrids.
Materials with bacteriostatic properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus
aureus were obtained.