Sterilizing Devices with Christmas Trees

Jan-04-13 Researchers have discovered that a compound derived from Douglas fir needles can be used sterilize surgical devices and medical implants.

The team, from the MNNIT in India, is currently developing a self-sterilizing composite material derived from the needles of the Douglas fir. The extract from the needles was combined with a silver nitrate solution, where the extract functioned as a natural chemical reducing agent and converted the silver ions in the nitrate solution to nanoscopic silver metal particles. This allowed the nanoparticles to be dispersed in chitosan polymer to create a sterilizing coating for materials such as metal implants and surgical tools.

Image: Daniel Mayer via Wikicommons

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[SCIENCEDAILY.COM]
[MNNIT]

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