Descrizione principale (Inglese)

Innovations in the production of biomaterials and textiles are particularly important for improving the healing process of acute and chronic wounds. An interdisciplinary approach to the production of medical textiles enhances their properties and broadens their scope of application - drug delivery, moisture control, infection prevention, and real-time monitoring are just a few of the many purposes for which modern wound dressings can be used. Different manufacturing techniques offer distinct advantages that make them more suitable for superficial or deeper wounds. Electrospinning is widely used to produce nanofibers that mimic the extracellular matrix, while weaving is employed to create a mechanically stable and flexible material. Some nonwoven wound dressings are chosen for their ability to adhere easily and securely to the wound. Various additives and combinations of materials used in the manufacture of antibacterial dressings have been reported in the literature [1-4]. Among these, nanoscale metal oxides, particularly ZnO, stand out. The combination with gelatin, which provides a stable matrix resembling the extracellular matrix, has been shown to exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus), as the zinc oxide particles generate and release superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) [1]. Other biologically active substances also play a key role in making wound dressings effective in preventing infections. The antibacterial properties of hybrid materials containing chamomile [4] have been studied, as well as those containing a combination of ZnO and propolis [5].