Ferulic Acid-Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystal Film as a Feasible Antimicrobial Finishing for Wound Dressing

Chronic wounds have affected more than 6 million people, especially diabetic populations. Various antimicrobial substances have been added to nanocellulose-based wound dressing to inhibit microbial growth. However, the substances triggered multiple adverse implications on humans. In this communication, we have developed a ferulic acid-grafted cellulose nanocrystal film as a potential antimicrobial material for wound dressing development. Needle-like cellulose nanocrystals, with an average length of 159 ± 31 nm, were extracted from medical-grade cotton using the acid hydrolysis method. A combination of cellulose nanocrystals, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and ferulic acid has generated a soft, sturdy, flexible, elastic and non-ductile film. It absorbed a large amount of exudates by presenting a swelling ratio of 774 ± 57%. The release of ferulic acid achieved a plateau at 20 h, with a total release of 75.4 ± 7.9% from the developed film. The ferulic acid-grafted cellulose nanocrystal film inhibited the growth of 2 Gram-positive bacteria, 3 Gram-negative bacteria and 1 yeast. During the Hohenstein challenge and wash durability, the developed film retained its antimicrobial efficiency by reducing up to 82% microbial growth even after 20 washes. The findings exposed that the ferulic acid-grafted cellulose nanocrystal film is effective in combating wound pathogens and ideal for dressing development.