NIT Rourkela develops biodegradable antimicrobial film as sustainable alternative to medical plastics
Rourkela, July 21 (TNT): Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a biodegradable and antimicrobial bio-composite film that could replace conventional petroleum-based plastics used in healthcare products such as wound dressings and bandages.
The innovation, developed by researchers from the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, has been granted an Indian patent titled “Biodegradable and Antimicrobial Bio-composite Film and Process for Preparing Thereof” (Patent No. 594073; Application No. 202531060261).
The research team comprises Dr. Angana Sarkar, Associate Professor, and her research scholar Dr. Pritam Bajirao.
The researchers said conventional medical products largely rely on non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics, creating a growing environmental challenge due to biomedical waste.
While biodegradable plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have emerged as alternatives, their commercial use has been constrained by brittleness and slow degradation.
To overcome these limitations, the NIT Rourkela team developed a bio-composite film using a naturally occurring bioplastic produced by bacteria grown on sugarcane molasses.
The material was reinforced with naturally extracted neem oil, improving its mechanical strength, flexibility and durability while imparting antimicrobial properties.
Dr. Angana Sarkar said laboratory studies showed the material exhibited enhanced mechanical strength, flexibility, thermal stability and hydrophobicity, making it a promising substitute for conventional biomedical films.
She said the incorporation of neem oil not only inhibited bacterial growth but also created a favourable environment for wound healing, enabling the material to serve both as a protective barrier and as a wound-care aid.
According to the researchers, the bio-composite film can be used in antimicrobial films, biomedical coatings, plastic-free wound dressings, bandages and other sustainable healthcare products.
The team estimated the production cost of the material at around Rs 14.33 for a film measuring approximately 44.18 sq cm, indicating its potential for economical large-scale production.
The researchers said the innovation supports the objectives of the Centre’s Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and National BioE3 Policy initiatives by promoting indigenous, biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based medical plastics and reducing healthcare-related plastic waste while improving patient safety.
TNT KS
