Macroporous hydrogels based on carbohydrates monomethacrylates and dimethacrylates: singular properties from carbohydrate‐based crosslinkers. Issue 6 (25th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perin, Giovanni Bortoloni; Fonseca, Lucas Polo; Felisberti, Maria Isabel
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical technology & biotechnology. Volume 94:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 1913
• Page End: 1924
• Publication Date: 2019-03-25
• Subjects: hydrogels -- carbohydrate monomers -- carbohydrate‐based crosslinker -- mechanical properties -- biocompatibility -- biodegradation; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Technical -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Industries -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-2575

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Readily available feedstock and biocompatibility make carbohydrate‐based hydrogels promising materials for biomedical applications. However, carbohydrate‐based crosslinkers are rather underexplored when compared with crosslinkers derived from fossil resources. In this study, novel fully bio‐based hydrogels derived from enzymatically producedd ‐fructose andd ‐glucose methacrylate monomers were synthesized with different amounts ofd ‐fructose dimethacrylate crosslinker. RESULTS: The use of a carbohydrate‐based crosslinker endows hydrogels with high swelling coefficients, up to 2400%, and superior mechanical resistance (compressive modulus up to 9.5 kPa with a maximum stress up to 50 kPa) compared with conventional crosslinkers based on fossil resources. Hydrogels shape and crosslinking density influences hydrogel morphology, swelling behavior and mechanical resistance. Moreover, hydrogels presented cell viability, biodegradability and hydrolysis‐resistance over a wide range of pH. CONCLUSION: The use of a highly hydrophilic crosslinker based on carbohydrate for hydrogels synthesis enables the use of high crosslinker concentration, which improves mechanical properties, however with minor loss of the water swelling capacity, compared with conventional fossil‐based crosslinkers. This is an important advantage over conventional crosslinkers based on fossil resources. Moreover, slab hydrogels hold higher stress under compression–decompression cycles, and present higher resistance to hydrolysis in basic medium due to the thicker pore walls than cylindrical ones. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry