Enzymes as Green Catalysts and Interactive Biomolecules in Wound Dressing Hydrogels

Abstract

Hydrogels are 3D hydrophilic polymer networks that absorb and hold huge amounts of water. Although hydrogels have traditionally been synthesized using chemical and physical methods, rapid developments in enzyme technology that, like chemical-based methods, enable the formation of stable covalent bonds are fast emerging as alternative 'green catalyst' tools. Enzymes show great potential for the synthesis of complex multifunctional wound dressing hydrogels (WDHs) ex situ and in situ as well as in acting as interactive molecules to promote the wound healing process. This review presents advances in the use of enzymes to synthesize WDHs and their fascinating role as bioactive molecules promoting the wound healing process, preventing microbial infection, and providing in situ, in-built infection-detection and diagnostic systems.

Keywords: bioactive molecules; enzymes; hydrogels; synthesis; wound dressing hydrogels.