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Tailoring Gellan Gum Spongy-Like Hydrogels' Microstructure by Controlling Freezing Parameters
Helena R Moreira1,2,3, Lucília P da Silva1,2, Rui L Reis1,2,3
13B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.
Polymers
|February 9, 2020
Summary
Reproducible gellan gum (GG) spongy-like hydrogels for tissue engineering were created by controlling the freezing step. New devices reduced batch variations, optimizing scaffold properties for cell applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Gellan gum (GG) spongy-like hydrogels offer promising properties for tissue engineering (TE) applications.
- Existing preparation methods, while defined, can lead to batch-to-batch inconsistencies.
- The freezing step is hypothesized as a key factor contributing to these variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and mitigate batch-to-batch discrepancies in gellan gum hydrogel preparation.
- To evaluate the impact of controlled freezing on hydrogel properties.
- To assess the suitability of new freezing devices for reproducible hydrogel fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Two novel freezing devices were employed for gellan gum hydrogel preparation.
- Cooling and freezing rates, nucleation parameters, and freezing times were quantified at various temperatures (-20, -80, -210 °C).
- Physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of the hydrogels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The tested devices demonstrated controlled cooling and freezing rates (0.1–128 °C/min), varying with temperature and device.
- Hydrogels prepared with the new devices exhibited reduced standard deviations in properties compared to the standard method, attributed to slower freezing rates.
- While mean pore size was reduced, cell entrapment, adhesion, and viability (using human dermal fibroblasts) remained unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Batch-to-batch variations in gellan gum hydrogel production are primarily linked to the freezing step.
- The tested freezing devices enable fine-tuning of scaffold structure and properties.
- These devices offer a more reproducible method for fabricating gellan gum hydrogels for tissue engineering.
