Abstract
Malodour in wounds is mainly associated with exudating chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcer, pressure ulcer, diabetic foot ulcer, fungating and malignant wounds. It is caused by the presence of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. Foul odour is caused by anaerobes, and aerobic Gram-negative bacilli, pseudomonas and klebsiella species produce fishy and fruity odours. Patients with malodour wounds are often embarrassed because undesirable smell creates a social stigma. Currently Activated Charcoal Cloth (ACC) dressing is employed to adsorb the gaseous compounds responsible for the undesirable odours. However, ACC dressing is not welcomed by patients and clinicians because it is black and the broken fragments of carbon fibres could contaminate wounds, hi addition the efficacy of malodour adsoption is severely compromised once the dressing is saturated with wound exudates. It is in this background, the University of Bolton has carried out a research and development programme to develop an alternative to ACC dressing with enhanced malodour adsoption capability without compromising the essential properties of an ideal wound dressing. A wide range of biopolymers such as Manuka honey, neem oil, aloe vera were utilised and systematically investigated for their odour adsorption characteristics in wound dressing. A novel composite wound dressing has been engineered by using aloe vera and its odour adsoption property was tested and compared with that of commercial odour adsorption dressings. During the course of research, odour adsorption test equipment was modified and standardised. The results showed that aloe vera possesses not only odour adsorption properties but also antimicrobial properties. The developed novel wound dressing possesses the following attributes: environmental friendly; - aloe vera polymer is biodegradable and safe to use to open wounds; - antimicrobial and enhanced odour adsorption; - suitable for both medium and highly exudating chronic wounds; and - maintains moist environment at the wound bed for faster wound healing.