Mechanical Absorption of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) Bagasse as Wound Dressing Alternatives

Hospitals and clinics create a significant amount of medical waste, particularly from supplies such as wound dressings, contributing to environmental pollution. Considering that these supplies are composed of non-biodegradable materials, their prevalence in healthcare is a growing concern. Addressing this, one promising alternative is through plant materials such as sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). However, minimal research and findings regarding sugarcane’s potential for mechanical absorption and its extraction process are available. Moreover, research focusing on the local setting, particularly in Region 11, remains lacking. With this, the study aims to determine whether sugarcane bagasse can work as a wound dressing alternative by forming sample sheets as a platform to place water droplets. The researchers used three different samples: pure sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane bagasse cured with polyester resin, and a commercial brand X. Using the AATCC Test Method 79, the level of absorbency and absorption rate was determined within these samples. The results indicated that pure sugarcane bagasse exhibited high levels of absorbency and absorbency rate, exhibiting similar results to Brand X. This key finding implies that sugarcane, in its pure form, has the potential to serve as an alternative material for gauze pads available in the market due to its absorption rate and level of absorbency. Hence, future research may further explore sugarcane bagasse as a viable material in the medical industry.