New bioactive textile dressing materials from dibutyrylchitin

Purpose Dibutyrylchitin (DBC) is an ester derivative of a natural polysaccharide – chitin. DBC is obtained by reaction of chitin with butyric anhydride in the presence of a catalyst. The production methods of DBC have been elaborated and optimized. DBC is easily soluble in common organic solvents and has film – and fibre forming properties. Such characteristics allow obtaining classical fibres from the polymer solutions. DBC is also a raw material for manufacturing yarn and for a broad range of textile dressing materials. Fibres with good mechanical properties are obtained by an optimized spinning process from the DBC solutions. The purpose of this paper is to present a further optimization of the mechanical properties of DBC-fibres and yarns. Design/methodology/approach The excellent biomedical properties of the DBC are confirmed by different experimental results which prove that DBC is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and stimulates regeneration of damaged tissues. Tests of these DBC dressing materials under clinical conditions prove the excellent results of DBC-based dressing materials for the ordered healing of tissues and wounds. The DBC dressing materials accelerate the healing of the wound and are biodegraded during the healing process. From the clinical tests, it can be clearly observed that the DBC dressing materials are absorbed into the fresh tissue formed during the healing process of the wounds. Findings The DBC and DBC-based dressing materials are good bioactive textile materials for wound healing and for understanding the biological properties of chitin derivatives. The obtained results prove the importance of the O-substitution of the hydroxyl groups present in chitin, not only for the solubility of the derivatives and the mechanical properties of the produced fibres, but still more important for the biological properties of these ester derivatives of chitin containing butyric acid. This development creates a link between textile products, based on material properties and human health, based on the biological properties of the basic material. Originality/value The mechanical properties of DBC are further optimized by blending it with poly(ε-caprolactone). Good transparent and flexible products, such as films, with a high elongation to break are obtained by blending 10-20 wt per cent of poly(ε-caprolactone) with DBC. This creates new possible bioactive applications for DBC or poly(ε-caprolactone).