Evaluation of polyethyleneimine-functionalized cellulose for the capture of valeric acid, a model wound malodor compound

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as valeric acid, are key contributors to malodor in chronic wounds, yet conventional sorbents fail to retain these volatile compounds effectively. To address this, polyethyleneimine-functionalized cellulose (PFC) was developed as a reactive sorbent for selective SCFA capture via ionic interactions between protonated surface amines and dissociated acid anions. PFC was synthesized via covalent immobilization of branched polyethyleneimine onto cotton cellulose using poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether. Successful functionalization was confirmed through elemental analysis, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and hydrophilicity assessments. Absorption studies revealed that the valeric acid uptake correlated with the PEI content, peaking at 2.35% nitrogen incorporation. Kinetic experiments demonstrated rapid absorption within the first hour, reaching equilibrium by four hours, while absorption efficiency increased under neutral-alkaline conditions (pH 7-8) and elevated temperatures (33-37 °C). In vitro biocompatibility tests using L929 fibroblasts and XTT assays showed no cytotoxicity, underscoring PFC's suitability for biomedical applications. This work establishes PFC as a promising malodor-control strategy for chronic wound management, combining enhanced SCFA absorption, retention, and cytocompatibility.