Development of biopolymer-based menstrual pad and quality analysis against commercial merchandise

M. Forhad Hossain,Md. Moynul Hassan Shibly,Mohammad Billal Hossain,Mohammad Anower Hossain,Md Golam Nur

doi:10.1186/s42269-021-00504-2

M. Forhad Hossain, Md. Moynul Hassan Shibly + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00504-2

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Abstract

BackgroundManaging menstrual hygiene in the least developed countries represents a significant obstacle for women and girls. Commonly dirty stuffs are used to control the menstrual cycle which causes many diseases, while disposable hygiene-absorbent material during menstruation is an essential requirement. Most local commercial sanitary napkins offer high absorptiveness and flexibility; however, most of them, due to the use of synthetic superabsorbent polymer (SAP) within the core layer, are not biodegradable and harmful to human skin. This research aims to create a sanitized and biodegradable pad in order to replace SAP with environmentally sound biopolymer that give rural poor women competent performance and characteristics.ResultFor the construction of the model, some of the current sanitary pads from the local market are examined. Six models are designed using various biopolymers such as cotton, viscose, wood pulp, sodium alginate and carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) in different proportions as the core absorbent layer to boost requirements such as absorption, fluid retention strength, coziness and cost reduction. The sanitized pads have gone through various investigations such as antimicrobial activity, wicking ability and water retention capacity to standardize vital features and value. The experimental results show the use of sodium alginate and CMC is a possible replacement for SAP as the best comparable result is observed in template consuming sodium alginate, CMC and cellulosic fibre. Non-woven fabric treated with neem extract forming the outer layer of sanitary napkin serving with antimicrobial activity of more than 90% against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionOutcomes recommend significant advancement and cost-effectiveness of the newly designed archetype. Sanitary napkins without SAP can be a safe disposal solution and can therefore have a sustainable environmental impact.

Highlights

Managing menstrual hygiene in the least developed countries represents a significant obstacle for women and girls
The result indicates that neem extract effectively reduces the growth of both organism as no antimicrobial activity was observed against S. aureus and E. coli in untreated non-woven fabric (Fig. 3)
Antimicrobial finished non-woven fabrics and hydrophilic cellulosic fibres were mounted in the core layer of the pad with or without encapsulation of various amounts of biopolymer, such as sodium alginate and carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), and their use in women’s hygiene products was successfully demonstrated

Summary

Introduction

Managing menstrual hygiene in the least developed countries represents a significant obstacle for women and girls. Dirty stuffs are used to control the menstrual cycle which causes many diseases, while disposable hygiene-absorbent material during menstruation is an essential requirement. Women in all societies (i.e. upper, middle and lower classes) are not sufficiently aware of menstrual hygiene management, resulting school absenteeism, infections and various diseases to women’s health, embarrassment and barriers to work in women that cause low productivity (Bharadwaj and Patkar 2004). In order to collect and retain menstrual fluids, poor and unconscious women generally use dirty cloths, rags that are unhygienic for their health. Because of lack of awareness, product costs and their socio-economic structure, the scenario requires designing such a form of hygienic sanitary napkin that can be generated at very low expense and environmentally friendly

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