[Electrophoresis on a cellulose acetate CAE in a study of commercial active alginate dressings]

Hydrogels are cross-linked three-dimensional macromolecular networks that contain a large fraction of water within their structure. One of the most important properties of alginate hydrogels, leading to their broad versatility, is their ability for controlled uptake, release and retention of molecules. This ability, in turn, is due to specific interactions of the macromolecular network with the diffusing or retained molecule, for example ions. In this study, water-soluble sodium alginates contained in active dressings Medisorb A were identified using electrophoresis on cellulose acetate CAE. The presence of guluronic acid (G) and mannuronic acid (M) residues in hydrolysates of alginic acid AA (used as reference substance) and active alginate dressings Medisorb A was also proved. "Egg-box" structures, earlier described in literature, were observed using the same technique and their interpretation was attempted. Electrophoresis on cellulose acetate was found to be a useful method for examining alginate-based biomaterials.