Preparation of Hydrogel Films of Sodium Alginate and Gelatin with Aloe Vera via solvent casting and cross-linking method

Nowadays, the development of modern hydrogel films by natural polymer materials are increasing for wound healing purpose as they are less adhesion to wound site and have anti-inflammatory property as well as proliferation of fibroblast which can accelerate wound healing process gradually. Therefore, this research was aimed to prepare hydrogel films of sodium alginate and gelatin with different proportion of aloe gel using solvent casting and cross-linking methods. The physical and chemical properties of both films with and without cross-linking process were characterized. Based on the results, thicknesses of both Aloe films with and without cross-linking were decreasing when aloe gel increased. Aloe films have higher moisture content than AloeC films which might probably due to cross-linking with calcium chloride has lead to a protection to prevent water molecules evaporated from films. According to FT-IR spectrum shown, the presence of glycine of gelatin and mannose in aloe vera can be detected while existing of acemannan cannot. Alteration absorption band indicated presence of crosslinking network in AloeC films. FT-IR result also showed the absence of acemannan in Aloe films and AloeC films. The swelling ratio showed that both Aloe films and AloeC films have high water uptake at pH 7.2. Among all the films, Aloe5 may has the potential undergoes further processing to form commercially freeze-dried wound healing products due to its uniform size, hydrated content, and slower rate of water absorption.