Sustainable Durian Rind Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Poly(vinyl) Alcohol Hydrogels Synthesis for Enhancing Crosslinking and Release Kinetics Efficiency

This study developed hydrogels from durian rind-derived carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCd) blended with poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) for biomedical applications. The influence of NaOH concentration (10–60% w/v) on the degree of substitution (DS) of CMCd and the crosslinking properties of the resulting hydrogels was examined. Durian rind, a biodegradable and renewable resource, was transformed into CMCd with DS values ranging from 0.17 to 0.94. The highest yield (230.96%) was achieved using 30% NaOH (CMCd-30). This CMCd-30 was combined with PVA and crosslinked using citric acid to form a hydrogel with maximum crosslinking efficiency (86.16%). The resulting CMCd-30/PVA hydrogel exhibited a high swelling ratio (125.54%), reflecting its superior water absorption and functional group availability—key traits for biomedical use. Methylene blue (MB) release from the hydrogel extended up to 1440 min, confirming its drug delivery potential. Overall, the CMCd-30/PVA hydrogel demonstrated promising biocompatibility potential and performance, making it a promising candidate for wound dressings and controlled drug delivery systems. This work highlights the potential of agricultural waste valorization in developing sustainable and efficient biomaterials for pharmaceutical and medical applications.