Composite films containing collagen derived from eggshell membranes wi̇th Echinops ritro and Erigeron acris plant extracts: Effects for wound treatment and characteri̇zati̇on

Globally, accumulating waste is emerging as a critical environmental challenge. One of these wastes is eggshells, which generate millions of waste materials daily in both household and industrial sectors. The sheer volume of eggshell waste contributes to environmental pollution, soil contamination, foul odors, and bacterial proliferation. However, the eggshell membrane (ESM), rich in valuable proteins, has become an important biomaterial source. The calcium carbonate in ESM makes it a valuable natural resource in agriculture, while its collagen and hyaluronic acid content make it significant in various fields. The collagen types isolated from ESM—Type I, Type X, and Type VI—are proteins that play vital roles in wound healing and bone tissue regeneration. These collagen types accelerate tissue repair by promoting cell migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis. In this study, composite films were synthesized using ESM-derived collagen as the primary component, aiming to investigate their effects on wound healing. The material was not only composed of ESM-derived collagen but also reinforced with the antiinflamatory and antimicrobial properties of Echinops ritro and Erigeron acris plants, which were collected from the Hatay/Samandağ and Hatay/Yayladağı regions. The extracts (1 mg and 5 mg concentrations) were integrated into a collagen-chitosan matrix, plasticized with glycerol, and converted into a composite film. The films were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical bonding, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, and biodegradability tests in soil. According to antioxidant activity test results, composite films containing 5 mg of plant extract exhibited an inhibition rate of 85%. The best result in the biodegradability test was obtained from the 5 mg aqueous extract-containing composite film, which degraded by 80.5% on the 15th day. These results highlight the potential of the composite films for clinical wound dressings and biomedical applications.