Iodine-treated, fresh tilapia fish skin graft maintains disinfection and structural integrity for 7 days with cold storage.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of iodine disinfection and effect of storage on tilapia skin wound dressing via microbiological, histological, and spectroscopic assessment.

METHODS

Farm-raised, fresh tilapias were included in this prospective ex vivo study conducted in September of 2024. Tilapia fish skin (TFS) was harvested and treated with 10% iodine or saline for 15 minutes. Each group was aseptically packaged, stored (4 °C), and evaluated on days 0, 1, 3, and 7. Colony-forming units were counted from bacterial cultures. Structural integrity was determined histologically by collagen integrity (grade 0 to 3), organization (grade 0 to 3), and intensity (percentage). Lipid concentration was analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of extracted fish oil.

RESULTS

9 tilapias (n = 9) were enrolled. Mean bacterial counts following iodine and saline treatment were 0.56 ± 0.88 CFUs/mL and 19.67 ± 6.12 CFUs/mL, respectively. Iodine-treated TFS maintained disinfection after 7 days of storage (mean bacterial count, 4.11 ± 3.48 CFUs/mL). Mean collagen integrity grades following iodine treatment and 7 days of storage were 1.83 ± 0.41 and 1.33 ± 0.52, respectively. Mean collagen organization grades following iodine treatment and 7 days of storage were 1.83 ± 0.41 and 2 ± 0, respectively. Iodine-treated TFS collagen intensity was low throughout the study duration (range, 15.61% to 26.59%). Lipids were variably detectable in all samples. No eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid was detected in any samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Iodine-disinfected, cold-stored TFS maintained disinfection and structural integrity for 7 days.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TFS can be readily harvested, disinfected, and stored. Future studies are needed for lipid profiling.