Synthesis and rheological characterization of a novel shear thinning levan gellan hydrogel

Shear thinning hydrogels are majorly employed in biomedical and cosmetic industry. However, the application of such chemically modified hydrogels is limited due to their high gelation time and chemical toxicity. The present study attempts to address these issues by synthesizing a novel quick setting, non-toxic hydrogel composed of biodegradable polysaccharides, levan and gellan. Comprehensive rheological analysis was conducted to understand the shear thinning and self-healing behaviour of the hydrogel. Frequency sweeps indicated that remarkable mechanical properties were exhibited by the composite hydrogels. Furthermore, the hydrogel exhibited an ease of injectability as demonstrated by strain sweep experiments. This study can, therefore, act as a pioneer for establishment of natural polysaccharide-based shear thinning hydrogels for possible application in various sectors.