Leaky pads and tampons can make matters messy and uneasy during menstruation. Current menstrual pads mostly use cellulosic materials to absorb period blood, which are prone to leakage. To solve the problem, chemical engineer Rogério Aparecido Bataglioli of Virginia Tech and his team have designed a prototype using alginate, a common gelling agent extracted from algae and seaweed. Alginate powder thickens menstrual blood into a gel, reducing leakage in both menstrual pads and cups.
The team tested various polysaccharides (long chains of carbohydrates) that had blood-absorbing properties and gelling capacity. Alginate proved to be the most effective compound in absorbing and gelling blood. Next, the scientists improved the blood-absorbing properties of alginate by adding glycerol. This alginate-glycerol powder mixture was sandwiched between sheets of gauge and tested against commercially available absorbents. Pig blood was then dripped on the pads to mimic menstruation, followed by a squeeze test. Due to gelling properties, alginate-based pads leaked less than commercial ones under pressure.
Despite the general success of the experiment, ob-gyn Abigail Liberty points out that the pig blood that was used was free from clotting proteins called fibrin. Apart from this, menstrual blood is different from the blood that circulates in the rest of the body. These factors can be included by means of clinical studies using the alginate-based period pads.
However, the study is just the first stepping stone, and in the words of Bataglioli himself, “is a proof of concept”. Before the item is launched into the market, it is necessary to have a clear picture regarding safety and scalability of the product. Nevertheless, this research stands out amidst a shortage of research about menstrual care and products.
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