Functionalization of natural banana trunk fiber with graphene oxide (GO) using the dip-coating method for sustainable biomedical suture application

Abstract

Developing sustainable and biocompatible sutures is crucial to overcoming the limitations of synthetic alternatives, such as non-biodegradability and adverse biological responses. This study investigates banana trunk fiber, an agricultural byproduct, as a biodegradable suture material enhanced with graphene oxide (GO) via a dip-coating technique. Extracted fibers were alkali-treated and coated with varying GO concentrations (0.25–1.00% w/v) to improve mechanical properties, stability, and antibacterial efficacy. Results indicated that sutures coated with 0.75% GO exhibited the highest tensile strength and structural integrity while maintaining an optimal swelling ratio. Results indicated that sutures coated with 0.75% GO exhibited the highest tensile strength of 850.109±1.2 MPa, demonstrating superior mechanical performance to uncoated fibers (378.614±1.1 MPa). The optimized GO coating maintained an ideal swelling ratio, and FTIR confirmed successful GO integration, while TGA demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, making the material suitable for biomedical applications. The MTT assay using human skin fibroblast cells showed 90.23±1.1% cell viability, confirming the biocompatibility and the potential to support wound closure. This research highlights the possibility of combining natural fibers with nanomaterials to create cost-effective, eco-friendly sutures with enhanced performance. Future studies should focus on large-scale manufacturing, in vivo biocompatibility assessments, and clinical trials to ensure successful translation into medical applications. By leveraging agricultural waste and advanced nanotechnology, this study presents a promising step toward sustainable medical innovations, addressing both environmental concerns and biomedical needs.