Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.0
4.7
Journals
Polymers
Special Issues
Polymers: Bio-Based Medical Textile
polymers-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Polymers: Bio-Based Medical Textile

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 5048

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rossella Dorati

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Interests: biodegradable polymers; micro- and nano-particulate systems; 3D scaffolds; medical device; polymer degradation; 3D bioprinting; electrospinning; tissue engineering; wound healing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rita Nasti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: bio-based material; circular economy; green chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Medical textiles, often known as med-tech, is a new sector that has emerged as a result of the convergence of textile technology and medical science. The research and discovery of new materials derived from renewable sources is one of the crucial points for the growth of this field. The transition of medical textiles from synthetic to bio-based materials gives the medical textile sector tremendous opportunities in a variety of applications. With the development of new fibers and manufacturing technologies for yarns and fabrics, new areas of application for medical textiles have been identified. Therefore, this Special Issue will provide an open forum to draw the attention of academic researchers and industrial experts towards investigating different developments of medical textiles for potential medical applications. Topics in this Special Issue will include articles related, but not limited, to (i) bio-based polymers for medical textiles; (ii) textiles in healthcare and hygiene; (iii) non implantable and implantable medical textiles; (iv) drug-releasing medical textiles; (v) medical textiles for highly advanced medical devices, and (vi) advanced textile manufacturing technologies (electrospinning, 3D printing, etc.). Articles and review are welcome for submission to this Special Issue.

Dr. Rossella Dorati
Dr. Rita Nasti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • medical textiles
  • biobased polymers
  • healthcare and hygiene
  • non implantable and implantable
  • drug-release
  • medical devices
  • manufacturing technologies

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 3023 KiB  
Article
Bioengineering the Future: Tomato Peel Cutin as a Resource for Medical Textiles
by Gianni Pecorini, Martina Tamburriello, Erika Maria Tottoli, Ida Genta, Bice Conti, Maria Nelly Garcia Gonzalez, Rita Nasti and Rossella Dorati
Polymers 2025, 17(6), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17060810 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 372
Abstract
The exponential increase in medical waste production has increased the difficulty of waste management, resulting in higher medical waste dispersion into the environment. By employing a circular economy approach, it is possible to develop new materials by waste valorization. The employment of biodegradable [...] Read more.
The exponential increase in medical waste production has increased the difficulty of waste management, resulting in higher medical waste dispersion into the environment. By employing a circular economy approach, it is possible to develop new materials by waste valorization. The employment of biodegradable and renewable agro-food, waste-derived materials may reduce the environmental impact caused by the dispersion of medical waste. In this work, tomato peel recovered cutin was blended with poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLAPCL) to develop new textiles for medical application through electrospinning. The textile fabrication process was studied by varying Cut content in the starting suspensions and by optimizing fabrication parameters. Devices with dense and porous structures were developed, and their morphological, thermal, and physical–chemical properties were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Textile material stability to γ-irradiation was evaluated through gel permeation chromatography, while its wettability, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility were analyzed through contact angle measurement, tensile test, and MTT assay, respectively. The LCA methodology was used to evaluate the environmental impact of textile production, with a specific focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The main results demonstrated the suitability of PLAPCL–cutin blends to be processed through electrospinning and the obtained textile’s suitability to be used to develop surgical face masks or patches for wound healing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers: Bio-Based Medical Textile)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 6138 KiB  
Article
Transforming Agro-Waste Cutin into Sustainable Materials for Biomedical Innovations
by Gianni Pecorini, Martina Tamburriello, Erika Maria Tottoli, Giangiacomo Beretta, Ida Genta, Bice Conti, Rossella Dorati and Rita Nasti
Polymers 2025, 17(6), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17060742 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2420
Abstract
Agricultural waste derivatives, particularly tomato cutin, a biopolymer found in the cuticular layer of plants, present a promising alternative for the development of sustainable materials in biomedical applications. Cutin, composed primarily of fatty acids and hydroxy acids, exhibits favorable biodegradability, biocompatibility, and hydrophobic [...] Read more.
Agricultural waste derivatives, particularly tomato cutin, a biopolymer found in the cuticular layer of plants, present a promising alternative for the development of sustainable materials in biomedical applications. Cutin, composed primarily of fatty acids and hydroxy acids, exhibits favorable biodegradability, biocompatibility, and hydrophobic properties, positioning it as a viable candidate for applications such as drug delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering. This study investigates the extraction, characterization, and potential biomedical utilization of 10,16-dihydroxy hexadecenoic acid monomer derived from tomato cutin agro-waste. The cytotoxicity of cutin-based materials was evaluated through in vitro assays, demonstrating minimal toxicity and confirming their suitability for biomedical applications. The extraction process was optimized using various solvents, and the molecular characteristics of the extracted monomer were assessed using techniques such as Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). MTT assay was also performed on NHDFs cultured in monomer solutions to assess their cytocompatibility. The findings suggest that cutin-based materials, when processed under environmentally sustainable conditions, offer an effective and biocompatible alternative to conventional synthetic polymers, opening new avenues for the development of sustainable biomedical products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers: Bio-Based Medical Textile)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 5770 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Physical and Mechanical Parameters of Spun-Bond Nonwoven Fabric
by Inga Lasenko, Jaymin Vrajlal Sanchaniya, Sai Pavan Kanukuntla, Arta Viluma-Gudmona, Sandra Vasilevska and Sanjay Rajni Vejanand
Polymers 2024, 16(20), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202920 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1259
Abstract
The selection of an appropriate fabric for technical applications, such as protective masks, hinges on a thorough understanding of the fabric’s physical and mechanical properties. This study addresses the challenge of selecting the optimal material structure for the upper layer of a protective [...] Read more.
The selection of an appropriate fabric for technical applications, such as protective masks, hinges on a thorough understanding of the fabric’s physical and mechanical properties. This study addresses the challenge of selecting the optimal material structure for the upper layer of a protective mask, aiming to ensure adequate breathability while providing effective filtration against airborne particles and contaminants. We assessed and compared the physical–mechanical properties of five polymer spun-bond nonwoven fabrics from different suppliers. Our comprehensive evaluation included, as follows: a visual inspection; light permeability analysis; mass and thickness measurements; elongation and tensile strength tests; breathing resistance assessments; and filter penetration tests with paraffin oil. The results revealed significant variations in performance among the samples, with one fabric consistently outperforming the others across multiple parameters. Notably, this top-performing fabric met or exceeded the EN 149:2001+A1:2009 standard for breathing resistance and filtration efficiency and, in combination with additional filter layers, met the requirements or exceeded class FFP2 (filtering face piece). This study underscores the importance of meticulous material selection and quality control in optimizing PPE (personal protective equipment) performance and user safety, providing valuable insights for mask manufacturers and healthcare professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers: Bio-Based Medical Textile)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop