Polysaccharide-Based Materials Created by Physical Processes: From Preparation to Biomedical Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Polysaccharide-based materials are increasingly important in biomedical applications.
• Physical fabrication methods avoid toxic crosslinking agents, creating safer materials.
• Key polysaccharides include glycosaminoglycans, marine polysaccharides, and cellulose.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review polysaccharides and physical fabrication strategies for biomedical applications.
• To highlight methods for creating stable polysaccharide assemblies in aqueous media.
• To focus on applications such as growth factor delivery, scaffolds, antimicrobial coatings, and wound dressings.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on polysaccharide-based materials.
• Discussion of physical assembly strategies: coacervation, ionotropic gelation, electrospinning, layer-by-layer coating, polymer blend gelation, solvent evaporation, and freezing-thawing.
• Focus on in situ (one-step) fabrication methods.

Main Results:

• Various polysaccharides possess ionizable groups suitable for physical assembly.
• Physical methods yield stable polysaccharide materials in aqueous environments.
• Polysaccharide assemblies are effective for growth factor delivery, scaffolds, antimicrobial coatings, and wound dressings.

Conclusions:

• Physical fabrication methods enable the creation of safe and stable polysaccharide biomaterials.
• These materials hold significant promise for diverse biomedical applications.
• Further research into polysaccharide-based materials can advance regenerative medicine and therapeutic delivery.