Chitosan/chondroitin sulfate hydrogels prepared in [Hmim][HSO4] ionic liquid
Cátia S Nunes1, Kessily B Rufato1, Paulo R Souza1
1Polymers and Composite Materials Group (GMPC), Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá (UEM), Av. Colombo 5790, CEP 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|May 20, 2017
Summary
New chitosan (CHT) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) hydrogels were created using an ionic liquid (IL) solvent. These biocompatible CHT/CS hydrogels show excellent stability and swelling, making them suitable for medical and environmental applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Chitosan (CHT) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are bio-renewable polysaccharides with potential applications.
- Developing sustainable methods for blending these polysaccharides into functional materials is crucial.
- Ionic liquids (ILs) offer novel solvent properties for polysaccharide processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel chitosan/chondroitin sulfate (CHT/CS) hydrogels using an ionic liquid ([Hmim][HSO4]).
- To explore a green chemistry approach for creating blended polysaccharide systems.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity of the resulting CHT/CS hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Solubilization of chitosan (CHT) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) using the ionic liquid [Hmim][HSO4].
- Fabrication of CHT/CS hydrogels in a homogeneous medium.
- Characterization of hydrogel properties including stability, swelling capacity, and cytotoxicity.
- Assessment of biocompatibility using VERO (normal) and HT29 (diseased) cell lines.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized CHT/CS hydrogels via a green chemistry route using [Hmim][HSO4].
- Achieved hydrogels with excellent pH stability (1.2-10) and high swelling capacities.
- Demonstrated absence of cytotoxicity towards both normal VERO and diseased HT29 cells, indicating good biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- The [Hmim][HSO4] ionic liquid facilitates the efficient blending of chitosan and chondroitin sulfate into hydrogels.
- The developed CHT/CS hydrogels exhibit desirable properties for various technological applications.
- These biocompatible and stable hydrogels hold promise for medical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields.
