Natural wound dressing from acid-modified basil seed mucilage containing aloe vera extract

There have been several studies that have applied basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seed mucilage (BSM) as a wound dressing materials using several types of synthetic antimicrobial agents. This research reports on the application of BSM as a green wound dressing using natural substance, namely aloe vera (AV) extract, for the improvement of antibacterial activity. Due to poor dimensional stability of BSM, malonic acid (MA) was used to cross-link the BSM molecules. The MA resulted in the esterification reaction between BSM molecules, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peak position of the C=O stretching. The porosity, water retention, and swelling of BSM sponges were noted to decrease, while stiffness increased upon cross-linking. Incorporation of AV extract into both BSM and MA-cross-linked BSM sponges did not affect hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and cytotoxicity toward human keratinocyte cells. On the other hand, antibacterial activities against both gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) of BSM and BSM cross-linked by MA were observed upon the addition of the AV extract.