Composite membranes of alginate and chitosan reinforced with cotton or linen fibers incorporating epidermal growth factor

- Composite dressings of alginate and chitosan with cotton or linen threads were obtained.
- Elongation at break increased up to 8 times with threads in crossed orientation.
- Tensile strength, water vapor transmission and liquid uptake were reduced after threads addition.
- The lowest toxicity to human fibroblasts was observed for porous dressings produced with linen.
- Incorporation of epidermal growth factor was able to slightly increase cell proliferation.

Suture threads of cotton or linen, in crossed and random orientation, were added to alginate-chitosan membranes intended to wound coatings application to improve the mechanical properties. The elongation at break increased to about 5 and 8 times for membranes with linen and cotton, respectively, both in the crossed orientation. The addition of the threads increased roughness and opacity of the membranes and reduced the liquid absorption capacity and water vapor transmission rate. The lowest toxicity to human fibroblasts was observed for extracts of membranes produced with linen, and incorporation in them of epidermal growth factor was able to slightly increase cell proliferation.