The rising number of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) cases across various age groups has sparked concern over its associated complications, one of which is diabetic ulcers. A diabetic ulcer is not merely a wound; it can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and effectively.
Addressing this issue, the Student Creativity Program for Exact Sciences Research (PKM-RE) team, ChloScaf+, from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has developed a hydrogel scaffold made from natural ingredients derived from water hyacinth and microalgae. A hydrogel scaffold is a type of biomaterial that facilitates the formation of tissue structures.
“Water hyacinth and microalgae, which were once considered pests or threats to aquatic ecosystems, are now increasingly recognized for their economic value and potential as natural material components in various industries, including healthcare,” said Pamastadewi Pryankha Hijrianto, a student from the Faculty of Biology and the team leader, on Thursday (Oct. 23).
Aside from the team leader, the PKM team consists of UGM students: Keanu Saputra Valenka Darmawan (Agricultural Engineering), Gresmawarrenes Jamuss (Pharmacy), Kamilah Kusuma Maharani (Pharmacy), and Lidya Oktaviani (Engineering), all under the supervision of Dr. Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan.
Pamastadewi Pryankha Hijrianto explained that the innovation aims not only to address real-world problems but also to bring economic benefits to society.
Through literature reviews and laboratory studies, the team successfully developed a hydrogel scaffold using cellulose extracted from water hyacinth (a biodegradable material with high absorbency) combined with Chlorella vulgaris microalgae biomass, known for its rich antioxidant and secondary metabolite content.
“By combining the complementary properties of both materials, wound healing in diabetic ulcer patients can occur in a shorter period,” said Gresmawarrenes Jamuss, a team member.
She further noted that the hydrogel scaffold’s antibacterial activity is a crucial factor in preventing bacterial infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
“Pathogenic bacteria not only infect unhealed ulcers but can, in severe cases, cause tissue death or gangrene, which may lead to amputation,” she explained.
Another team member, Lidya Oktaviani, described the environmentally friendly development process of the hydrogel scaffold, which involved several stages. Initially, dried water hyacinth fibers were treated to remove wax layers, bleached, and acidified to produce smooth, white cellulose fibers.
Meanwhile, the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris were harvested and freeze-dried through lyophilization, resulting in a green, aromatic biomass distinctive of the algae.
After preparation, the materials were formulated into hydrogel scaffolds containing varying concentrations of microalgae: 0.05%, 0.3%, and 0.8%.
“The research process does not end with formulation. Testing is needed to determine the scaffold’s quality and effectiveness,” added Keanu Saputra Valenka Darmawan.
Darmawan further expressed hope that their innovation could reduce dependence on imported or synthetic chemical materials commonly used in the production of medical equipment and biomaterials.
“We hope this innovation can serve as a foundation for further development of eco-friendly hydrogel scaffolds through industrial-scale production,” he concluded.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photograph: iStock and ChloScaf+