Based on Basic Health Research by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2018, the prevalence of tooth extraction in Indonesia reached 7.9%. Gelfoam or gelatin foam can control bleeding after tooth extraction in less than 10 minutes. This gelatin sponge comes from pure gelatin which is in the form of a flexible, porous, and easily absorbent sponge.
On the other hand, Indonesia is the third shrimp-producing country in the world. Shrimp shells reach 45-55% of the total weight with low economic value and are considered as waste even though they contain chitin which can produce chitosan. Chitosan has various features such as being an antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, can be a clotting agent, and can be absorbed by the body.
The combination of chitosan and other bioactive molecules improves mechanical properties, protein absorption, and biomineralization. Therefore, we combined chitosan with bioactive molecules from avocado seed extract. Avocado seeds contain essential oils, bioactive compounds, fiber, and carbon sources up to 15% of the total weight and can be an alternative medicine for various diseases.
The unavailability of commercial gelfoam products made from herbs has encouraged our group, which consists of Oliresianela, Esra Kusteniuk Simanjuntak, Fiorina Divasinta Mirelia Marsudi, Langit Jingga, and Nabila Oktavina Dwiputri, under the guidance of drg. Diah, Sp. Perio, to innovate the combination of chitosan and active ingredients of avocado seed extract to support the effectiveness of gelfoam. This innovation is expected to be an alternative for wound healing after tooth extraction. (OLI/Humas UB/ Trans. Iir).
