Intr oduction

Introduction
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TECHNOLOGY, If you suffer from burns and wounds, there is a dressing
PLEASE CONTACT: PNRI Develops developed by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)-
Department of Science and Technology which can be used to
CHEMISTRY RESEARCH GROUP reduce pain and scar formation.
Atomic Research Division
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Bur n/Wound This dressing is called hydrogel. It is made from a natural product,
carrageenan (commonly known as "guso") and polyvinyl
Tel. No. 929-60-10 to 19 local 234; 292
Dressing from
pyrrolidone through radiation technology.

What is carrageenan?
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is the world's most widely used seaweed product
today. It is a wholly natural ingredient, completely safe for the
body. Carrageenan is extracted from the seaweed by alkali
treatment at high temperature. The extract is then purified and
converted into powder. This is done either by the gel press
method, KCl - freezing, KCl - press or alcohol precipitation.

The Philippines is one of the major producers of carrageenan in

the world. At present, carrageenans are used as thickeners
and gelling agents in the food and consumer product industries.
From their chemical structures, carrageenans have vast
potentials for non-food applications.

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Office Address • Commonwealth Avenue,
Diliman, Quezon City • P.O. Box 932 Manila or 213 UP,
Quezon City • Telephone • 929-60-10 to 19 •
Fax • 920-16-46
Prepared by Information Services Unit • November 2003
What applications of carrageenan
are being explored by PNRI ?
The PNRI has been conducting studies to explore the potentials
of carrageenan for non-food applications. Through the use of
radiation crosslinking technology, PNRI researchers have
successfully prepared PVP hydrogels from carrageenan and
polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) that can be used as dressing for
burns and wounds.
What is a hydrogel ?
hydrogel What are the advantages of the Application of carrageenan PVP
PNRI - developed hydrogel
ogelss ?
hydrogel hydr ogel
ogelss in burn patients
hydrogel
Hydrogels, or water containing gels, are polymers
characterized by hydrophilicy and insolubility in water. Hydrogel dressings are:
In water, they swell to an equilibrium volume, but preserve ! Transparent
their shape. Natural hydrogels are used in pulp and paper ! Non-allergenic
production , cellulosic membranes and biomedical ! Sterile and easy to handle
applications. Synthetic hydrogels are used in prosthetic ! Cheaper than commercial dressings
materials, soft lenses and membranes for controlled drug !
A split-thickness
release because of their compatibility with living tissues. Are PNRI- developed hydrogel
ogelss
hydrogel graft
affor
affor dable ?
ordable
How are hydrogel dressings pr
hydrogel produced
oduced ?
The PNRI-developed hydrogel costs P0.05 per squre
centimeter. Thus, for a hydrogel size of 20 cm x 20 cm,
The stages of production of hydrogel dressings are the the estimated cost would only be P20 while a commercial
following: dressing of the same size costs P450.

! Preparation of the mixture - Aqueous solution of "

dressing components is prepared. A combination of
What is the performance of
performance Application of
synthetic and natural polymers is a usual case. PNRI-developed hydr ogel
ogelss ?
hydrogel carrageenan PVP-
hydrogels
" Confectioning - The molds, which are also used as Clinical tests of the PNRI-developed hydrogels were
final packages for the ready-made dressings, are filled
initially done done on 20 patients of the Burn Unit of the
with the solution to the requested depth.
UP-Philippine General Hospital. The patients' burns were
# Irradiation with a dose of healed within 7 - 10 days, making the PNRI hydrogels
25 kGy- The products are comparable with commercially available imported
assembled in commercial hydrocolloids for burn dressings.
packages and are treated
with 25 kilogray of ionizing What are the other possible uses of #
radiation at the PNRI's
multipurpose irradiation
carrageenan are being studied by Healing after
two weeks
facility. This dose of radiation is sufficient to sterilize PNRI ?
the material and provide the formation of a stable
Other possible uses of carrageenan being studied by
three-dimensional network that allows water to
PNRI are ! in agriculture (as plant growth promoter and
penetrate into the structure to a certain volume
as water resource for plants) and; " in consumer
without destroying its shape.
products (such as sanitary napkins and disposable
diapers).