Aloe Vera Loaded Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)-Poly(Ethylene Oxide)-Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Polyester Nonwoven Membranes

In the present study, aloe vera loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coated polyester nonwoven membranes were developed using freeze-drying approach. The membranes, having aloe vera in different ratios were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and PBS absorption. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties were evaluated by zone of inhibition and colony count method against gram-positive S. aureus and gram-negative E. coli bacteria. The freeze-dried membranes possess highly interconnected porous structure with WVTR in ideal range and good PBS absorptivity. More importantly, the antimicrobial tests indicated that the membranes show excellent antimicrobial action against both types of bacteria. Thus aloe vera loaded PVA/PEO/CMC coated polyester fabric membranes with excellent antimicrobial properties appear to be promising biomaterials for wound dressing applications.