Novel hydrogels based on yeast chitin-glucan complex: Characterization and safety assessment

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Araujo, D (Author) Other; Alves, VD (Author) Other; Lima, SAC (Author) Other; Salette Reis (Author) FFUP; Freitas, F (Author) Other; Reis, MAM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Vol. 156

Pages: 1104-1111

ISSN: 0141-8130

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-A6R

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.11.141

Abstract (EN): Chitin-glucan complex (CGC) was used for the first time for the preparation of hydrogels. Alkali solvent systems, NaOH and KOH solutions, either at 1 or 5 mol/L, were used for CGC dissolution using a freeze-thaw procedure (freezing at -20 degrees C and thawing at room temperature; four cycles). The CGC solutions thus obtained were subjected to dialysis that induced the spontaneous gelation of the biopolymer, yielding translucid hydrogels with a yellowish coloration. Although all CGC hydrogels exhibited porous microstructures, high water content (above 97%) and good mechanical properties, their morphology, viscoelastic properties and texture were influenced by the type of solvent system used for CGC dissolution, as well as by their ionic strength. The K-based hydrogels presented a less compact network with larger pores and exhibited lower elastic properties. The Na-based hydrogels, on the other hand, exhibited a denser structure with smaller pores and a stiffer gel structure. These results show that it is possible to prepare CGC hydrogels with differing characteristics that can be suitable for different applications. Furthermore, all hydrogels were non-cytotoxic towards L929 fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. This study demonstrates CGC can be used to prepare biocompatible hydrogels with properties render them promising biomaterials.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8