Vol. 11, Special Issue 1 (2026)

Burn injuries involve damage to the integument and underlying tissues caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or mechanical agents and remain a major challenge in both human and veterinary medicine. Conventional burn management relies largely on topical antimicrobials and biosynthetic dressings, which may be costly, require frequent changes, and cause significant pain.
Nile Tilapia Fish Skin (NTFS), a waste by-product of the fish industry, has emerged as a novel, cost-effective biological dressing with promising therapeutic potential. Rich in type I collagen, omega-3 fatty acids, and possessing high tensile strength, NTFS functions as an effective occlusive xenograft that maintains wound moisture, reduces protein and plasma loss, minimizes pain, and accelerates re-epithelialization.
Initially developed in Brazil to address the scarcity of human skin grafts, NTFS has demonstrated significant success in treating partial and full-thickness burns, reducing healing time and frequency of dressing changes compared with conventional silver-based therapies. Its safety and efficacy have been supported by microbiological, histological, and biomechanical studies, showing preservation of collagen structure even after sterilization. Beyond human medicine, NTFS has shown remarkable results in veterinary practice, including treatment of severe burn injuries and chronic wounds in wildlife, companion animals, and equines, often without the need for systemic antibiotics.
The preparation of NTFS involves rigorous cleaning, glycerolization, antimicrobial treatment, and optional gamma irradiation to ensure sterility and long shelf life of up to two years under refrigeration. Given its abundance, low cost, biocompatibility, and therapeutic advantages, NTFS represents a sustainable and effective alternative to conventional burn dressings.