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Published on: November 21, 2017
Polymers from functional macrolactones as potential biomaterials: enzymatic ring opening polymerization,
Inge van der Meulen1, Matthijs de Geus, Harro Antheunis
1Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, Post Office Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Biomacromolecules
|November 4, 2008
Summary
New biomaterials from macrolactones show high crystallinity and non-toxicity. These polymers, synthesized via enzymatic ring-opening polymerization, exhibit no hydrolytic or enzymatic degradation, making them promising for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
- Macromolecular Engineering
Background:
- Macrolactones such as pentadecalactone and hexadecalactone are cyclic esters.
- Their unsaturated analogues, ambrettolide and globalide, offer potential for novel polymer properties.
- Developing new biomaterials with tunable characteristics is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize polymers from saturated and unsaturated macrolactones.
- To evaluate the thermal, mechanical, and degradation properties of these novel polymers.
- To assess the biocompatibility and potential for cross-linking of the synthesized materials.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic ring-opening polymerization of macrolactone monomers.
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermal analysis (melting points).
- MTT assay using 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line for cytotoxicity assessment.
- Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation studies.
- Melt cross-linking of unsaturated polymers.
Main Results:
- High molecular weight polymers were successfully synthesized from all macrolactone monomers.
- Saturated polymers exhibited high crystallinity with melting points around 95°C.
- Unsaturated polymers showed lower melting points (46-55°C) and were effectively cross-linked to form amorphous, transparent gels (97% gel content).
- All polymers demonstrated non-toxicity in MTT assays.
- No significant hydrolytic or enzymatic degradation was observed due to high crystallinity and hydrophobicity.
Conclusions:
- Macrolactone-derived polymers are non-toxic, highly crystalline, and exhibit limited degradability.
- Unsaturated analogues can be readily cross-linked to create amorphous, transparent materials.
- These polymers represent promising candidates for biomaterial applications requiring stability and biocompatibility.
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