Abstract

Exhibiting fibrous and antimicrobial characteristics, Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) presents an edge to be used in medicine. The study aims to provide a new source of multifilament surgical sutures from decorticated petiole fibers of water hyacinth. The fibers were braided and autoclaved for sterilization. After which, diameter measurement, sterility test, and heavy metal test were done. Tensile strength, knot strength of the sutures and wound tensile strength were measured using a tension meter. Surgical incisions done under anesthesia on dorsolateral areas of six male albino rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were sutured. Silk suture was used as the positive control. Observation was done for 7 days to grade skin reactions. Skin samples were then excised after euthanasia was done. The samples were then subjected to histopathological examination. Statistical analyses comparing the sutures were done using independent t-tests. Differences in diameter and tensile strength of both sutures were statistically significant (p<0.05). Differences in knot tensile strength and wound tensile strength of both sutures were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Edema, erythema and wicking were absent in both sutures. Dehiscence was seen in 2 wounds with silk suture; 1 wound with water hyacinth suture. Histopathology showed varied degrees of tissue reaction. However, presence of non-representative samples made the test inconclusive. Conclusively, sutures from Eichhornia crassipes are physically comparable to silk.

Keywords: Eichhornia crassipes; Fibers; Decortication