Collagen and aloe vera added chitosan suture production and characterization

The wound healing process is a complex series of biological events that begins when tissue integrity in the body is disrupted. Wound closure materials used during this process can directly influence the healing progression and play a critical role in treatment success by reducing the risk of infection. Although synthetic suture materials are widely used today, some of these materials are non-biodegradable, which may require a second surgical intervention or cause tissue irritation. Therefore, the demand for biodegradable suture materials has been increasing. In this context, naturally derived biopolymers have emerged as promising alternatives for wound closure applications. In this thesis study, sutures were produced from chitosan enriched with collagen and aloe vera, using the dry-jet wet spinning method, and were thoroughly characterized. Due to its antimicrobial, biocompatible, and biodegradable properties, chitosan was chosen as the primary structural material. Collagen was incorporated to support tissue integrity, while aloe vera was added to impart antioxidant functionality to the structure. With the synergistic effects of these natural components, the aim was to develop a suture structure that can accelerate wound healing, degrade in the body without causing adverse reactions, and exhibit therapeutic effects. A comprehensive set of physical, chemical, thermal, and biological analyses were carried out for the characterization of the obtained sutures. Mechanical properties were evaluated using uniaxial tensile testing. Surface morphologies were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical structure was analyzed via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermal behaviors were assessed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, in vitro degradation and drug release tests were conducted, and swelling capacity was measured to evaluate the sutures' fluid retention potential. The antioxidant activities of the produced sutures were determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. As a result of these tests, it was observed that the mechanical strength of the collagen and aloe vera-modified chitosan sutures increased, surface structures were homogeneous, and the chemical bonds were well integrated. Thermal analysis results demonstrated that the developed sutures had sufficient thermal stability. Degradation tests showed that the sutures could gradually break down over time, indicating that they could fulfill their function in the body without the need for removal. In conclusion, the collagen and aloe vera-enriched chitosan-based sutures developed in this study exhibit sufficient antioxidant and mechanical properties, making them highly suitable candidates for modern wound closure applications. Owing to their natural polymer-based structures, environmentally friendly composition, and potential to enhance patient comfort, these systems can be considered effective alternatives to conventional suture materials.