Utilization of green resource-based Mimosa pudica hydrogel powder in a cellulose acetate-based polymeric membrane as absorbent: a sustainable approach towards female hygiene application†

This study presents the development of a novel membrane-based absorbent by incorporating Mimosa pudica hydrogel (MPH) powder, derived from the mucilage of its seeds, into a cellulose acetate polymer matrix using the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The membranes were prepared with varying weight percentages (wt%) of MPH to evaluate their potential as absorbent cores for hygiene products. The enhanced absorbency observed for 1 wt% MPH-loaded cellulose acetate membrane (MCA-2) was attributed to the MPH powder's large surface area and macroporous structure, as confirmed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The MCA-2 membrane exhibited maximum absorbency values of 276.66%, 402.87%, and 572.5% in distilled water, 0.9 wt% saline solution, and defibrinated sheep blood, respectively, within 30 minutes along with an absorbency under load value of 439.69% in saline solution at 60 minutes. An in-depth analysis of the thermal, mechanical, morphological and topographical properties of the developed membrane was conducted. This exhibited a modulus value of approximately 120 ± 0.5 MPa with 13.07 ± 0.2% elongation and also possessed significant antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria justifying its potential as an absorbent core. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to identify bacteria involved in soil burial degradation, highlighting its overall impact and sustainability towards the environment. These findings suggest that MPH-incorporated membranes hold significant promise as absorbent materials in female hygiene applications.