Water hyacinth-derived methyl cellulose-based composite films encapsulated with zinc oxide nanoparticles for advanced skin wound care

Researchers are increasingly focused on biopolymer-derived materials for healing wounds owing to their biological compatibility and degradation. In this study, antibacterial nanocomposite films based on methyl cellulose (MC) derived from water hyacinth cellulose (WHC) were fabricated by crosslinking MC with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), citric acid (CA), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) via solution casting. FTIR analyses confirmed interactions among functional groups within the film components, whilst FESEM results demonstrated a uniform dispersion of nZnO within the base material. The 6% nZnO-incorporated MC/PVP films exhibited a compressive force of 10.8 ± 0.1 KPa with elongation at break 54.2%, a swelling yield of 540% under pH 7.4, and a water vapour transmission rate of 2010 g-m²/day. The area of inhibition for the MPZ6 nanocomposite film was 22 mm for E. coli and 30 mm for S. aureus . The toxic effects studies conducted on vero and nHDF cells revealed a viability rate of 83% and 90% after 72 h. 6% nZnO-loaded films achieved 99% wound closure in 12 days and films devoid of nZnO achieved a closure rate of 60%, whereas the bare wound group exhibited only 15%. The films also promoted collagen deposition and reduced inflammation. These findings indicate that water hyacinth-derived MC along with PVP composite films reinforced with nZnO could be effective for skin wound care application.