Issue 18, 2021

Innovative methodology for marine collagen–chitosan–fucoidan hydrogels production, tailoring rheological properties towards biomedical application

Abstract

Marine polymers such as collagen, chitosan, and fucoidan can be combined to form ionic-linked hydrogel networks towards applications in tissue engineering (TE). The use of greener approaches (as determined by green metrics – E-factor), including the absence of external chemical cross-linking agents, has advantages regarding the potential cytotoxicity. By tailoring the formulation of such an ionic-linked hydrogel, it is possible to fine-tune scaffold biofunctionality. In this study, a comparative study of composite hydrogels was accomplished, seeking to understand the correlation between polymer characteristics and physical behaviour to develop the applicability of this technology in soft-to-hard TE. Parameters such as polymer concentration, molecular weight, polymer-biomaterials bonds, biomaterial structural architecture, pore size, and mechanical rheological properties were directly correlated to the hydrogel's formulation. The results highlight that the formulation with greatest potential was the 3-component hydrogel (H12, followed by H10, H11), due to its superior mechanical properties, making it suitable for cartilage TE. This research offers a valuable perspective on hydrogel formulation and a new processing methodology, as well as how tailoring the hydrogel composition influences mechanical behaviour to support selecting the best composition for tissue engineering applications.

Graphical abstract: Innovative methodology for marine collagen–chitosan–fucoidan hydrogels production, tailoring rheological properties towards biomedical application

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 jun. 2021
Accepted
20 ago. 2021
First published
20 ago. 2021

Green Chem., 2021,23, 7016-7029

Innovative methodology for marine collagen–chitosan–fucoidan hydrogels production, tailoring rheological properties towards biomedical application

D. N. Carvalho, C. Gonçalves, J. M. Oliveira, D. S. Williams, A. Mearns-Spragg, R. L. Reis and T. H. Silva, Green Chem., 2021, 23, 7016 DOI: 10.1039/D1GC02223G

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