Innovative approach for producing injectable, biodegradable materials using chitooligosaccharides and green chemistry

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Marine Biotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Current injectable biomaterials often rely on synthetic polymers, harsh synthesis methods, or expensive raw materials.
• There is a need for advanced biomaterials that are biocompatible, cost-effective, and produced through sustainable processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel injectable biomaterial using chitooligosaccharides derived from chitosan.
• To functionalize chitooligosaccharides with methacrylic groups for in situ cross-linking.
• To characterize the material's properties, including gelation, rheology, degradation, and cytotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Chitooligosaccharides were synthesized and functionalized with methacrylic groups.
• The degree of substitution was determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR).
• Gelation kinetics, rheological properties, degradation behavior, and in vitro cytotoxicity were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The degree of methacrylic substitution ranged from 5% to 50%.
• Gelation time was tunable from 1.5 to 60 minutes.
• The resulting hydrogels exhibited strong gel properties (kPa shear stress range), were degradable, non-toxic, and demonstrated a positive cytokinetic effect.

Conclusions:

• Injectable chitooligosaccharide-based materials present an innovative system with excellent biological performance.
• The material is easily prepared using water-based, ecologically friendly reactions from abundant marine biomass.
• This biomaterial offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to existing synthetic options.