PROBLEM

Can We Use Plant-Based Gels to Make Enhanced and Eco-Friendly Bandages for Wound Healing?

Over 65% of commercial bandages across the world, including mainstream companies such as Band-Aid and CVS, contain persistent ”forever chemicals”, also known as PFAS. These toxic chemicals both last forever in our environment, as well as perpetually leave a variety of health issues such as fertility problems, increased risk for specific cancer types, and changes in immune response systems. With Band-Aid alone selling roughly 1 billion of their non-biodegradable products each year, which is about 23,000 tonnes, the bandages inevitably discarded containing toxic, ever-lasting chemicals into our ecosystems would weigh about the same as 11,500 large adult African elephants. However, by further studying this problem, we may be able to overcome both environmental and medical challenges that commercial bandages introduce by using easily available, accessible, and natural materials to produce a sustainable, biodegradable, and medically effective bandage of our own.

 

BACKGROUND RESEARCH

What is a gel, specifically plant based?

Gel:

Gels are substances that can range from being hard and tough (such as silica gel) to soft, weak, and elastic-like (such as the jelly from fruit). Additionally, they must consist of two or more components which usually involve a liquid and a separate material. A mesh or network of liquid made of solid particle molecules (typically polymers) form the mesh and create different textures of gel. Interestingly, they are often primarily composed of liquids yet feel semi-solid to the touch.

Plant-Based Gels:

As the name suggests, plant-based gels are jelly-like materials taken from various types of organic plants. Plants that have these include several types of aloe, such as Aloe Vera, Aloe Ferox, and Aloe Mitriformis. Other plants with healing properties include onion gel/extract, yarrow flowers, and calendula petals. We can make plant liquids into gels as well via hydrocolloids.

 

What is a hydrocolloid?

In general, hydrocolloids are any material that causes liquids to turn into gels. Some of the most common kitchen hydrocolloids include gelatin, starch, agar, alginate, pectin, and Xanthan gum.

Hydrocolloids function by first making molecular gels, then joining certain parts of the molecule together, forming ‘junction zones’. These areas then form into chains of molecules that can hold water. Depending on the type of hydrocolloids, this produces a different gel texture. You can also use hydrocolloid patches or dressings to help with acne and wound coverings. Some kinds of hydrocolloids alone are moisturizing and may even help produce collagens (skin proteins). We can use hydrocolloids to turn plant-based healing liquids into gels! 

Agar agar or gelatin seems like the best option because they are biodegradable and safe for skin. Gelatin has more collagen-producing abilities while agar is better for moisturization.

 

Characteristics & properties of plants/plant-based gels

Gel & property examples:

• Aloe Vera Plant
  • Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and redness, makes the healing process more comfortable.
  • Promotes healing: Contains polysaccharides that stimulate skin regeneration and tissue repair.
  • Soothing & hydrating: Provides moisture to the skin, preventing dryness around the wound
  • Cooling effect: relieves pain and irritation, especially useful for burns or skin abrasions
• Calendula
  • Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation, which can speed up healing and reduce discomfort around the wound.
  • Antimicrobial: Fights bacteria and helps prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and abrasions 
  • Collagen production: stimulates collagen synthesis, which is important for tissue repair and faster healing
  • Skin regeneration: promotes skin regeneration, helping new skin form over the wound more quickly
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
  • Antiseptic: Protects wounds from bacterial infection and accelerates healing by keeping the area clean
  • Natural styptic: Helps stop bleeding by constricting blood vessels and promoting clotting
  • Healing compounds: contains flavonoids and alkaloids that support wound healing and reduce the formation of scar tissue
  • Reduces swelling: eases inflammation and promotes circulation to the affected area

 

Issues with current bandages:

In recent years, leading bandage companies such as Band-Aid and Johnson & Johnson have used a material called PFAS (per/polyfluoroalkyl substances) to resist moisture due to their water-resistant properties, which has gained the name “forever chemicals”. This is because, as the nickname states, these chemicals usually take hundreds to thousands of years to break down. This presents a major negative impact to our environment because of the popularity of these commonly accessible bandages all around the world. While this may seem like it doesn’t have that much of an impact, just think about the likelihood of every bandaid you’ve ever used still lurking around trying to decompose meanwhile poisoning ecosystems. Or it's in the process of being turned into harmful chemicals from the sun. It is because of these immeasurable negative effects that bandages and band aids have on our environment across the globe that we chose to create a biodegradable bandage that is both sustainable and relatively easy to manufacture.

There are also multiple components within the average Band-Aid that are not biodegradable that contribute to the negative environmental impacts that Band-Aids have.

Plastic Backing

Many band aids use plastic films (brown backing) that are made from synthetic plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for waterproofing/water resistance, flexibility, and durability. Oftentimes these polymer materials are derived from petroleum whose molecular structure resists microbial degradation. However, they can take hundreds of years to break down into microplastics which remain in the environment forever, contributing to plastic pollution, and can leach into soil and water, posing risks to ecosystems. Our band aid backing will be made of biodegradable materials such as gels, honey/sugar syrup, and paper towel to eliminate the risks regular plastic backings on Band aids have on our environment.

Plastic Coating on the Absorbent Pad

The white absorbent pad which is typically made from cotton is often coated with a thin shiny layer of polyethylene or other similar chemical compound materials like PFAS to prevent the cotton from sticking to the wound. However, this plastic coating is made from highly moisture, oxygen and microbial activity resistant material so that even if the cotton or rayon pad underneath is biodegradable, the coating embedded in the pad cannot be decomposed. In our bandage, we will eliminate the use of the plastic coating entirely because of the natural adhesion that gelatin and agar agar combined with a honey/sugar syrup adhesive has.

Adhesive Layer

The sticky part on band aids is usually made from glues that are composed of various plastics such as acrylic polymer, acrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polypropylene, or PFAS, all of which are non-biodegradable resources. These are used because they are cheap and adhere strongly to skin. In our bandage, we used honey (in the first test) and a sugar syrup (in the second test) which can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to commercial, non-biodegradable adhesives such as ones made using plastics.

 

Process of biodegradation:

Biodegradability is the process in which a material is able to be broken down into separate smaller components known as organic matter in a natural or biological process, often by microorganisms such as bacteria. Different types of organic matter require specific conditions to biodegrade, however optimal conditions include the best combination of temperature, water, oxygen, and bacteria. Most chemical compounds will eventually biodegrade, it just depends on the material. The process of biodegradation involves multiple steps that are determined through environmental factors such as light exposure, humidity, and temperature. The steps include:

Bio deterioration:

This step is the first of 3 in the process of biodegradation. It begins when the structure of the material begins to physically/chemically change or weaken. It is often initiated by the activities of other organisms and even changes in an environment. This could include bacteria, fungi, insect exposure, light, temperature, and unnatural chemical exposure. The early to middle stages of our first and second biodegradability testing trial experienced this phase of biodegradation.

Bio fragmentation:

This is the second step in biodegradation, which occurs after the material's structure has begun to weaken and now begins to break into smaller pieces due to the changes in its chemical structure. During this process, microorganisms break down the structure by breaking its molecular bonds. Since the duration of our first biodegradability test was quite short, it only reached the bio fragmentation phase of biodegradation, however even with a longer testing period, our second trial also only reached this phase.

Assimilation:

This is the final stage of biodegradation. In this phase, the material, after being broken down by microorganisms to a point where the material doesn’t have the chemical composition it started with, and it becomes a part of its surroundings/environment. Our biodegradation tests did not make it to the assimilation phase of biodegradation as it could take 2-5 months for our materials to fully decompose.

 

Material justification:

Agar Agar:

We used agar agar to make stable, smooth, and flexible hydrogels that can also help moisturize dry skin. This gel is squishy and non-abrasive against skin so it won’t cause any skin problems like itchiness or irritation. Agar agar is derived from algae, which is a sustainable and biodegradable resource, unlike plastic bandages.

Gelatin:

Since gelatin on its own helps keep wounds moist, this can speed up the healing process compared to commercial plastic bandages. Furthermore, unlike synthetic materials used in commercial plastic bandages, gelatin can be naturally broken down by the body so it doesn’t cause irritation. Gelatin is also protein-based, allowing it to fully break down in nature unlike synthetic wound dressings.

Sugar + Water Adhesive:

Unlike plastic-based adhesives, sugar syrup breaks down completely and doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution. Synthetic bandages also use petroleum-based adhesives that release harmful chemicals into the environment. Since sugar and water are cheap and easy to find, they are also more accessible compared to synthetic adhesives made from petroleum-based polymers

Paper Towel:

Paper towel is a cheap material made from paper fibres, and it can be found anywhere. It is a good alternative to synthetic fabrics as it is easily accessible and better for the environment, as it can biodegrade. Paper towel is also water-absorbent and durable enough to form a stable backing for a bandage.

Bananas:

We chose to use bananas as several of its aspects are similar to that of a human wound. The banana peel mimics the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), and the banana’s flesh resembles the dermis (contains moisture similar to the extracellular fluid in human tissue). Aside from being a cheap and accessible alternative to human skin, its oxidation/browning process also mimics the human skin healing process and how it would react to a wound.

The key idea is that slower darkening is equivalent to better wound healing in that if a banana darkens slowly, the treatment (in this case our gel bandages) is effectively protecting the wound—similar to how human skin heals best in a moist, controlled environment. Furthermore, slower oxidation suggests the bandage is helping preserve moisture and protect the wound, similar to an ideal healing process in human skin. If the banana darkens quickly, the wound is exposed to air and bacteria, which speeds up oxidation—like a human wound drying out, scabbing too fast, or getting infected.

Corn Syrup:

We used corn syrup in our fake blood because it is a common, biodegradable material. In the slurry, it is used to smoothen and water down the mixture as well as represent plasma, which is used in real blood to transport enzymes, proteins, and other important nutrients around the body

Corn Starch:

Corn starch is used in our fake blood as a thickener. It is easy to find at most stores and is biodegradable. In our blood mixture, it represents white blood cells which are important in real blood to fight bacteria and viruses.

Cocoa Powder:

In human wounds, platelets clump together to form a clot to stop bleeding and create a protective scab. To represent this process, we used cocoa powder which sticks together similarly to platelets. It is also an easily accessible alternative for a material that is hard to obtain

Red Food Dye:

The red food coloring primarily represents the hemoglobin protein in red blood cells. These proteins carry oxygen and give red blood cells their iconic color.

METHOD

Course of Action:

Research/Background Research/Concepts/Scientific Principles:

For the first phase in the method we used to achieve success in this project, we solidified our understanding of background concepts and scientific principles related to our topic of study. This included several properties, characteristics, and processes of gels, and biodegradation in relation to plant based gels, as well as some information on the impact bandages such as band aids have on our environment . Then we were able to formulate an overarching problem we wanted to solve and a hypothesis for our project’s results.

Innovation/Experimentation:

For the innovation/experimentation aspect of our project, we will develop 2 biodegradable bandages with one being made with agar powder as a gelator and a combination of aloe, yarrow, and calendula and the other with gelatin powder and the same plants. From this we will test both bandages to see which will prove to be the best in terms of biodegradability and medical effectiveness. We will test the biodegradability by comparing the bandages to the biodegradability rate of an average band aid in a controlled natural environment, and the medical effectiveness by testing and comparing the bandages on bananas whose darkening process can mimic human wound healing. 

Conclusion/Results:

In our conclusion we will directly answer our problem in relation to our initial hypothesis, as well as the data we collected through experimentation and testing of our product.We will also determine which gel bandage proves to be the most biodegradable and medically effective

Next Steps:

While our project was quite successful, there are a few things we could add if we were ever to redo or continue this project. To start, we could potentially make our product become available to the market and for people to buy. We could even alter the shape, size, and composition of the bandages or optimize the healing properties for different kinds of wounds such as burns, surgical scars, and others. Additionally, we might consult professionals such as doctors and plant specialists to provide more in-depth information in this field. The final step that would transform our project would be to be able to test our products on actual human wounds and find how effective these bandages are in the real world.

 

Procedure

Materials: 

• Agar Powder: 1 tsp ($14.95)
• Sugar & Water (2 tbsp sugar : 1 tbsp water)
• Water (1½ cup 2nd time gelatin, 1¼ 2nd time agar)
• Silicone mold
• Gelatin Powder 1st test: 1 tsp ($18.95) 2nd: 1 tbsp
• Yarrow: ¼ cup ($11.48)
• Aloe vera gel ¼ cup ($6.98) (½ Cup on 2nd time)
• Calendula: ¼ cup ($5.57)
• Paper towel
• 4 Bananas
• 1 Band Aid
• Corn syrup: 1 tbsp 
• Water: ½ tbsp
• Cornstarch: 1 tbsp
• Cocoa powder ⅜ tbsp
• Red food dye: 2–4 drops

Plan:

1. Create 4 biodegradable bandages using agar/gelatin powder, water, and a combination of aloe, calendula, and yarrow.
   1. The first two bandages will be labeled “AB” (agar-biodegradable) and “AMe” (agar-medical effectiveness), using agar powder & a combination of aloe Vera gel, dried yarrow, and dried calendula. Both bandages should be exact copies of each other with different labels.
   2. Other 2 bandages labeled “GB” (gelatin-biodegradable) and “GMe” (gelatin-medical) use gelatin powder & a combination of aloe, yarrow, calendula. Both bandages will be exactly the same, with only different labels.
2. Compare biodegradability of “AB” and “GB” with each other and a control bandage (band aid). Will be observed in a natural environment (i.e. backyard etc.)
3. Compare the medical effectiveness of “AMe” and “GMe” on bananas with each other and a control banana (no bandage). Will be tested in a clean environment. Will also observe the effects of blood on the wound and how the bandages react to it.

Steps:

Bandage Prep:

1. Gather agar powder, water, aloe, calendula, and yarrow to make bandaids “AB”, “AMe”, “GB”, and “GMe”.
2. Mix together the aloe Vera gel, and calendula and a bit of water in a blender until a plant slurry develops
3. Separately stir together cold water and agar/gelatin powder in a pot until the powder is completely dissolved.
4. After fully mixed, continue stirring while bringing to a boil at high heat then turn off the heat as soon as there is a rolling boil over top of the water.
   1. Make sure the water and agar/gelatin powder is completely mixed with no small chunks or flakes
5. Once a rolling boil appears, slowly pour and combine the plant slurry into the pot with the agar/gelatin-water mixture and stir until mixed thoroughly
6. Turn off the heat and pour the mixture into the mold (or a rectangular bowl), then place the mold into the freezer
   1. To speed up the solidifying process, place the mold into a dish with ice or snow and place that dish into the freezer.
7. After about 10-20 min for the agar (30 min for outside of the freezer) and 3 hours for the gelatin, take the molded gel pieces (cut them to size if needed) and attach them to the layered paper towel backing using a sugar-water adhesive
8. The bandages are complete

Biodegradability Experiment:

1. Gather bandages “AB” and “GB” as well as 1 plastic band aid
2. Place the band aids into a controlled natural environment (for our case, we will put them into a potted plant with added natural effects such as water etc.)
3. Observe and compare the biodegradation of the bandaids over the course of 2-3 weeks and take pictures of the progress each day.

Medical Effectiveness Experiment:

1. Gather band aids “AMe” and “GMe” and your 4 bananas, as well as corn syrup, water, corn starch, and cocoa powder for the fake blood
2. Cut slits of the same size into each banana and leave one aside
3. Create the fake blood by mixing together the corn syrup, water, corn starch, and cocoa powder and apply the mixture into the slits of the bananas, mimicking a real cut
4. Place the bandages onto 3 of the 4 bananas and put the bananas with band aids into a clean environment (in our case, we will put them onto a clean countertop)
5. Over the course of the testing, observe and compare the stages of the banana by taking pictures of the progress each day.

ANALYSIS:

Expected Observations/Results:

We predict that the biodegradable agar and gelatin bandages are going to biodegrade significantly faster than the plastic band aid due to the organic properties of the materials used. Additionally, since the healing gels are made of edible, fragrant plants, they can attract insects and microorganisms towards decomposing the plant bandages. In our medical effectiveness experiment, we hypothesize that the banana cuts that are covered with agar and gelatin bandages will show less signs of oxidation because of the protective and cushioning gels and the medicinal properties from the incorporated plants. Compared to the unprotected and plastic bandaged, our versions will be more protective of the wound and promote faster healing.

Actual Observations for 2 weeks (First Test):

*All pictures in our observations are shown in the additional report*

DATE	OBSERVATIONS
Day 1 - Dec. 23, 2024	First day, minimal browning on banana Gelatin pad is not good at retaining its shape 1hr+ to become gel-like Soft, mushy, crumbly When left in fridge too long, completely frozen over Agar is pretty firm, little time to harden 10 min until firm Translucent consistency (almost opaque) Gel is smooth, little stickiness Solid/withstanding to touch First day: inflammation On a human wound, would be red from blood flow
Day 2 - Dec. 24, 2024	Little progress on biodegradation & oxidation Still in inflammation phase for bananas Agar pad is covered with dirt and is drying out, part of taping has come off Gelatin has also stuck to the dirt but less dry Plastic bandage has been covered in dirt  Fake blood has begun to clot and dry out, the agar and gelatin pads sticking closely to the wound
Day 3 - Dec. 25, 2024	Lack of biodegradation progress. Tomorrow, add water to mimic natural conditions Agar and gelatin pads coated in dirt, dried out Gelatin bandage tape is missing Bananas; little oxidization Blood has dried, bandages stuck to wounds Still inflammation phase
Day 4 - Dec. 26th, 2024	Added some water on top of each bandage after taking photos The backing on the agar bandage is starting to split apart The agar and gelatin pads have dried to the point of shrinking Bananas are oxidizing near the edges, but no browning near the wound The fake blood on the unbandaged banana is becoming brown and crusty in the middle  The proliferation phase begins where in the banana the wound site starts browning due to oxidation In a human wound, this would be when the skin starts forming a scab
Day 5 - Dec. 27th, 2024	The water from yesterday has dried out, added some more The gelatin bandage’s backing has become somewhat brittle The agar bandage’s backing is peeling apart No progress on the plastic bandage All of the bananas are starting to show small spots  The edge of the unbandaged banana is turning black Still proliferation, as shown in the slight browning
Day 6 - Dec. 28th, 2024	I added water again today because the soil is very dry, and humidity can be a factor in biodegradation The agar pad is now dry and almost flat All of the bananas have shown a substantial increase in brown spots More oxidation, which in a human wound would mean that the wound is slowly being scabbed over
Day 7 - Dec. 29th, 2024	Dirt was stuck onto the bandages (the water turned it to mud, then dried) Added water to loosen dirt Gelatin bandage is firm/brittle Agar bandage is loose/flimsy  Amount of tape may’ve changed results Bananas are getting even more oxidized spots Proliferation again, especially because there are more brown bits
Day 8 - Dec. 30th, 2024	It snowed, so the bandages were frozen into the ground, brittle Retrieved gelatin bandage then moved the others inside All of the bandages became wet and flimsy from the snow Bananas have oxidized even more The wound on the unbandaged banana seems larger This shows continued proliferation
Day 9 - Dec. 31st, 2024	All of the bandages are indoors in the dirt of a potted plant The gelatin bandage is still soft and damp The agar bandage’s paper towel layers have split The plastic bandage is the same All of the bananas have gained more brown spots It seems like the banana with nothing is the most oxidized while the agar banana is the least This could be because of the wound exposure levels Also proliferation
Day 10 - Jan. 1st 2025	The agar and gelatin bandages have become brittle, added water All of the bananas are showing significantly more oxidized spots plus some larger brown patches Inside of the non-bandaged banana wound, there seems to be some white mold growing If you look closely at the plastic bandage banana, there are oxidation spots under the bandaid This represents scabbing on the wound
Day 11 - Jan. 2nd, 2025	Still a lack of biodegradation  This may be because there are not outside but snow and freezing would stop the process entirely All of the bananas have more oxidation, although the increase was not as much as before There seems to be a little bit more mold inside of the exposed wound Around this time, the maturation phase begins, which is when the skin starts completing the scab
Day 12 - Jan. 3rd, 2025	Bandages have become more fragile Added water All of the bananas are now oxidized and softened The gelatin bandage banana has developed a large brown patch on the side The non-bandaged banana is partially sticky in certain areas Lots of browning, which shows the aging and changing in the surrounding skin
Day 13 - Jan. 4th, 2025	Bandages are now misshapen and soft Part of agar bandage is missing? Bananas have oxidized more and are softer There is more mold in the non-bandaged banana  Still in the maturation phase
Day 14 - Jan. 5th, 2025	The gelatin bandage’s layers are splitting and it seems a bit smaller than before Both bandages are soft and flimsy There is some strange grey crust on the bandageless banana Still maturing, more brown spots
Day 15 - Jan 6th, 2025	The plastic bandage has become covered in a layer of dirt and its original colour has been covered The agar and gelatin bandages are still very soft The agar bandage seems even more warped than before All of the bananas are considerably softer and there is even more oxidation By now, the process of healing should be complete

 

Actual Observations 3 weeks (Second Test):

DATE	OBSERVATIONS
Day 1 - Jan 31st, 2025	No progress on biodegradation Little to now oxidation Ratio between gelatin powder and water was increased & gel was chilled for longer—> firmer 1st hour, liquidy and no gel-like texture 2nd hour, slightly firmer but not optimal consistency 3rd hour, reached optimal firmness
Day 2 - Feb. 1st, 2025	The bandages are dirty but are still in good shape The gelatin and agar pads are starting to dry out Added some water to show natural conditions like rain, snow, or moisture The dirt is a good environment for microorganisms, so its presence is a good sign Bananas are showing some oxidation already, but only small spots This first stage of wound healing is inflammation, in which the skin reacts to and begins to input measures to heal the wound
Day 3 - Feb 2nd, 2025	The gelatin and agar bandages are becoming softer from the water Since the structures of the bandages are weakening, biodeterioration starts The plastic bandage is dirty but is still in near-perfect condition The wound on the unbandaged banana is becoming black and crusty at the edges There are some oxidation spots In the inflammation phase of healing, this shows how the skin is starting to bruise, scar, or scab in response to the wound
Day 4 - Feb 3rd, 2025	The gelatin and agar bandages are in around the same shape as yesterday This continues the biodeterioration phase For most of the bananas, the oxidation is near the edges. For the agar bandage, the oxidation is only in small specks close to the wound The unbandaged wound is continuing to blacken This is representative of blood drying and scabbing to cover the wound
Day 5 - Feb 4th, 2025	Added water The plastic bandage is the same The gelatin and agar bandages are becoming floppier  Agar bandage has become coated thickly in dirt The bandages are weaker, showing that they are being deteriorated All of the bananas are showing more small spots and patches of oxidation The uncovered wound is becoming pink, firm and fleshy on the inside This transfers from inflammation to proliferation because the skin inside the wound is starting to harden and repair
Day 6 - Feb 5th, 2025	The agar and gelatin pads have dried and coated in dirt They are both more fragile while the plastic bandage is still in the same condition Biodeterioration is continuing, the structures of the plant bandages are falling apart The unbandaged wound is becoming browner pink on the inside The agar and gelatin bandaged bananas are gaining small spots of oxidation The plastic bandaged banana has more stripes of oxidation The unbandaged wound is becoming similar to a scar or a scab, formed by collagen to protect the wound
Day 7 - Feb. 6th, 2025	The agar and gelatin bandages have dried out and are becoming brittle This shows the changing physical form of the bandages, bio fragmentation will start soon The unbandaged banana is becoming more bruised, more than the others The plastic bandaged banana has long stripes and small specks of oxidation The gelatin one has brown spots, more than the agar one The browner bananas are less protected against oxidation, showing that the agar bandage is in the best condition
Day 8 - Feb. 7th, 2025	Added some water The gel bandages are floppy, but still barely intact The biodeterioration phase is still going, and the bandaids are becoming softer and thinner  The plastic bandage is dirty but otherwise fine There is more oxidation, mostly on the plastic and gelatin bandaged bananas All of the bananas are becoming softer/more ripe The wound on the unbandaged banana is crustier, changing between proliferation and maturation, in which the scabbing repair is finished
Day 9 - Feb. 8th, 2025	The agar and gelatin bandages are flimsier The agar bandage backing is starting to split  The agar and gelatin pads have dried out  The backings are breaking, showing biodeterioration and also bio fragmentation Bananas have oxidized more and are soft enough to dent by hand The unbandaged and plastic bandaged bananas have large patches of oxidation The gel bandaged bananas have spots and specks of browning The browning shows unprotected and maybe hurt skin (bruises?), but the uncovered cut has been hardening
Day 10, Feb 9th, 2025	The gel bandages dried out, are firm and brittle The gelatin pad is flat and covered in dirt The chemical makeup of the bandages is changing They could either be at biodeterioration or bio fragmentation The unbandaged wound is becoming crustier The unbandaged and plastic bandaged bananas now have swaths of brown The gelatin bandaged banana’s oxidation spots are increasing  The agar bandaged banana’s spots are near the bottom, not the top The maturation phase is continuing, but the increased browning can show injury/bruising to near skin
Day 11 - Feb 10th, 2025	The gelatin pad has fallen  The backings on the plant bandages are fraying  The unbandaged banana is darkening from brown to black The flesh in and around the uncovered wound is crustier and firm The other bananas are steadily gaining oxidation The unbandaged wound is maturing and healing The browning on the bananas is still growing
Day 12 - Feb. 11th, 2025	The agar and gelatin bandages have become very floppy and misshapen The paper towel is splitting around the edges The unbandaged banana is nearly solid brown/black The agar and gelatin bandages on the bananas have become hard and brittle, stuck on completely The wound is scabbing nicely but the surrounding peel on the banana is oxidizing more and more, showing how the wound may affect the health of nearby skin
Day 13 - Feb 12th, 2025	The gelatin bandage has become quite misshapen The agar gel pad is still stuck onto the backing while the gelatin one is missing The agar bandage almost tore when removed from the ground The gelatin, plastic, and unbandaged bananas are becoming increasingly oxidized while the agar one is gaining only small spots The unbandaged banana’s peel is now somewhat thin and dry The maturation phase should be finished in a few days
Day 14 - Feb. 13th, 2025	The agar bandage tore while I was digging it out of the ground today The gelatin bandage is also really unstable The bio fragmentation phase has started, since the physical and chemical makeup is starting to break The unbandaged banana’s peel is continuing to become drier and thinner The same is starting to occur in the plastic bandaged banana The unbandaged wound is even harder today, with a texture very similar to that of a scabbed wound The maturation is continuing steadily, but the peel of the agar bandaged banana is still in the best health
Day 15 - Feb. 14th, 2024	The gel bandages have both become even flimsier, starting to fold around more This should still be in the bio fragmentation phase The bananas are still oxidizing and getting softer The maturation phase, with time passing the wound will heal more
Day 16 - Feb. 25th, 2025	The gel bandages are fraying and splitting even more, showing bio fragmentation again The plastic bandage is unchanged The peel near the unbandaged wound is hard, almost brittle This is representative of the skin continuing to mature to protect the wound
Day 17 - Feb 16th, 2025	The gel bandage backings are continuing to peel apart The plastic bandage has not changed at all so far The biofragmentation phase is still going The bananas are very soft and squishy The unbandaged banana is the darkest shade of brown in comparison to the other browned bananas Maturation is continuing steadily
Day 18 - Feb. 17th, 2025	The agar and gelatin bandages have become even flimsier after adding water The gelatin bandage has frayed again Part of the agar bandage’s backing fell off This is a good sign of bio fragmentation The unbandaged banana seems to have shrunk in size The plastic and unbandaged bananas are softer than the other two The maturation phase continues, especially in the unbandaged banana which has a texture similar to old, wrinkled skin
Day 19 - Feb. 18th, 2025	The gel bandages have both become very crumpled and misshapen The agar bandage tore again while in the dirt The bio fragmentation phase is still going strong, with more time we might reach the assimilation phase The unbandaged banana has become skinnier and drier The other bananas are softening to a squishy, almost mushy state The maturation phase will be finished soon
Day 20 - Feb. 19th, 2025         Day 21 - Feb 20th, 2025	The agar and gelatin bandages have become even more floppy and misshapen There was a small house fly found near the dirt today, which is a sign of microorganisms working to decompose The bio fragmentation phase has not yet finished but has shown significant progress The unbandaged as well as the plastic bandaged banana appears to be shriveling The bananas should be almost fully healed and are beginning to age as normal   The three week point in our experiment, and our planned last day The gelatin bandage has frayed to the point of falling into two pieces The agar bandage is equally fragile The plastic bandage has remained the same since the start The unbandaged and plastic bandaged bananas are both very soft and easily squished There are only small spots of yellow leftover on all of the bananas (the agar one most), showing that rather skin should have aged enough that the wound is completely repaired

 

Actual Results/Performance Evaluation

First Test:

For an evaluation of the performance of our bandages regarding their medical effectiveness, we noticed overall that the gelatin and agar bandages provided better wound protection and a slightly lower rate of browning compared to the plastic bandage and no-bandage bananas. However, the agar bandage proved to be the most effective out of the two gel bandages. We came to this evaluation due to the prevalent differences in oxidation (browning) among our bandaged bananas, (specifically the agar bandage) and the other bananas (specifically the non-protected banana). The oxidation was a result of ripening and exposure to light and oxygen, so the least oxidized banana wounds were the most guarded against the elements. If this were to be transferred onto human skin, oxidation would be equivalent to skin damage, aging, and bruising near to a wound. It seems that the agar agar cover was better at defending wounds than the gelatin version. This may have been because the agar gel pad was smoother and steadier while the soft gelatin pad could have moved around or seeped away. This shows that the agar bandage provided safe protection to the cut and would provide similar safety to a human skin wound. Although our testing results proved to be quite satisfactory, there are quite a few factors we will reconsider for our next test (in the “Sources of Error” section below).

Taking an analysis of the biodegradation of our bandages, we also discovered positive results. Compared to the first and last days of our testing process, it became clear that our gel bandages went through the biodeterioration and bio fragmentation phases of biodegradation (as shown through the structural weakening and decomposition of the bandages from Day 1 to Day 15) while the commercial plastic bandage did not change at all in regards to its composition. This shows how our plant bandages will end up better if thrown away, especially in comparison to a normal plastic bandage. Despite natural conditions, both gel bandages managed to endure the issue while also biodegrading later, showing that they are both durable and helpful for the environment. We also came to the conclusion that both gel bandages biodegraded at roughly the same rate, proving that they can be interchangeable in terms of biodegradation. Although our testing results proved to be quite satisfactory, there are quite a few factors we will reconsider for our next test (in the “Sources of Error” section below).

Second Test: 

For our second medical effectiveness test, we noticed similar results to the previous experiment. The unbandaged banana was the most oxidized while the agar agar bandaged banana was the least. Since the oxidation was representative of the amount of protection offered by the bandages, the agar bandage proved to be the best option to defend wounds. The gelatin and plastic bandages were again both somewhat brown but less than the unbandaged and more than the agar. The gelatin may not have had as conclusive results as it was flimsier and more unstable, which could have caused it to move around or away from the cut section on the banana. The agar agar has proved less oxidized twice, most likely because this gel was a better surface against the wound since it was smooth, durable, and flexible than the others. Compared to a plastic bandage coated cotton pad, it was thicker and more squishy, forming to the shape of and covering the wound effectively. 

During our biodegradability experiment, we found that the gelatin and agar bandages both decomposed faster and more effectively than the plastic bandage, with the gelatin bandage ultimately being the best and most biodegraded of the three. In our previous experiment, the bandages ended up frozen outside and had to be moved indoors partway through, which could have stopped the degradation, so this time we kept the bandages inside. The gel bandages both went through biodeterioration and bio fragmentation, and although neither one reached the assimilation phase, they became more degraded than during the first experiment. Contrarily, the plastic bandage did not change or lose its composition in any way, showing that it may last forever in the environment and over time accumulate and choke out natural inhabitants. The better rate of biodegradation may have been because of the warm, hospitable temperatures, regular addition of moisture, and potentially more microorganisms. The gelatin might have performed better because it was softer and wetter, causing the bandage to weaken faster.

Sources of Error:

After first test:

• Materials:

  • Gelatin is unstable and difficult to work with as it easily falls apart
    • Will freeze it for a longer period of time (3 hours) with a different ratio between water and powder to achieve firmer and stronger results.
  • Paper towel is quite thin so the moisture from the gel part of the bandages would seep through.
    • To solve this problem, we glued three layers of paper towel used a natural adhesive (sugar + water) so the moisture would not leak through the bandage and have a stronger adhesivity
  • The honey/gauze tape was not as adhesive as we had initially expected due to the liquidity of the honey we had used
    • Instead we will opt for a mixture of sugar and water to form a stickier, but still biodegradable adhesive that does not seep through the paper towel

• Environment:

  • While testing the biodegradation of the bandages, it snowed which froze the bandages into the soil.
    • To solve this problem, we moved the bandages indoors to simulate a warmer environment, but maintained the “natural” environment by placing it in a plant pot and adding water regularly

• Time Period: 

  • We realized towards the end of the testing process that results were not as visibly shown as we expected
    • To solve this, we intend to run a second test for a longer period of time to be able to display more visible results.

• Testing vs. Reality:

  • We made a slightly unrealistically large cut on the banana during our medical effectiveness test which may have skewed certain results
    • For our second test we will ensure the cut is realistic and exactly the same

CONCLUSION

Concluding Statement:

Bandages composed of medicinal, biodegradable, and plant-based materials—such as Aloe Vera, calendula, and yarrow—would greatly strengthen the medical effectiveness of the product on human wounds because of the medicinal properties the materials have and their antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing abilities. Even the types of gels we used, agar agar and gelatin hold moisture retaining capabilities, furthering our success. Our bandages also overcame the issue of plastic waste of plastic components on traditional bandages with all biodegradable materials from the sugary adhesive, paper towel backing, and gel pad because of each of their biodegradable properties.

Furthermore from a medical standpoint, the risk of PFAS entering the bloodstream is also removed, preventing possibilities for diseases from harmful chemicals in traditional bandages. PFAS can cause problems in fertility, immune system activity, and these harmful plastics can even cause some kinds of cancer, but since our versions will be plastic-free these dangers are not an issue. Using biodegradable materials also removes any problems that plastic bandages pose against the environment. Our bandages would be safer for both skin as well as natural ecosystems, and can help quicken wound healing, creating a better substitute for medical wound-covering use. 

Overall, our agar agar bandage proved to be the most medically effective, slowing down the rate of oxidation the most in both tests, while the gelatin bandage was revealed to be the most biodegradable as it reached the bio fragmentation phase before both other bandages. However, both bandages surpassed the rate of healing and rate of biodegradation of the traditional plastic bandage, proving our success in this project.

 

What’s Next? (Application/Extension):

Our project was largely successful, but to expand after it is finished, we could continue researching and gather information from new sources. We can try talking to professionals like biologists and doctors to help us find different biodegradable resources that we could use in improving our bandage’s design. To test new versions, we could also experiment on different alternatives to human skin. We could also try different kinds of hydrocolloids, gels, and medicinal plants and gauge their different uses and effectiveness or test bandages in varying environments to make our product the best it can be.

If we continue this project and create a more efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly bandage, we will be able to consider turning our innovation into a marketable product. We can start to find faster and more cost-effective ways to manufacture biodegradable bandages and use better and cheaper materials. Once our bandages become their best, we might be able to test them on novel, more realistic surfaces, and someday we could use these safely for human use. If we use this to create a business, we can also start to develop other eco-friendly products to help counter plastic waste in the medical industry.

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We would like to give a huge shoutout to our science fair coordinator Ms. Rheinstein for helping us organize, plan, and coordinate this year's QEHS school science fair. As well, we want to show our gratitude for our family for providing materials for our testing, and our friends for supporting us throughout the project. Thanks also to the authors of our cited research, since our project would not exist without this information.