Novel hydrogel obtained by chitosan and dextrin-VA co-polymerization

A novel hydrogel was obtained by reticulation of chitosan with dextrin enzymatically linked to vinyl acrylate (dextrin-VA), without cross-linking agents. The hydrogel had a solid-like behaviour with G' (storage modulus) >> G'' (loss modulus). Glucose diffusion coefficients of 3.9 x 10(-6) +/- 1.3 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s and 2.9 x 10(-6) +/- 0.5 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s were obtained for different substitution degrees of the dextrin-VA (20% and 70% respectively). SEM observation revealed a porous structure, with pores ranging from 50 microm to 150 microm.