The model pH-controlled delivery system based on gelatin-tannin hydrogels containing ferrous ascorbate: iron...

Hydrogels have become an essential class among all biomaterials. The specialized biomaterials are highly valued in the field of biomedical applications. One of the problems in wound management is local microelement deficiency associated with extensive wound lesions. The significant lack of elemental iron in the human body leads to serious consequences and prolongs treatment. The synthesis of gelatin-tannin hydrogels with ion delivery function is proposed in this study. The ability to release ions in low acid solution is a sphere of great interest. The pH drop in the wound cavity is usually associated with the contamination of some bacterial cultures. pH-controlled delivery of iron in buffer solutions (рН = 5.5/6.4/7.4) was considered for these hydrogels. The kinetics of iron release was determined by visible spectroscopy. Theoretical models were applied to describe the process of ion delivery. The structure of materials was examined by IR-spectroscopy and demonstrated the incorporation of ferrous ascorbate into hydrogel matrix. Thermal analysis was used to point out the key differences in thermal behavior by isoconversional methods (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa/Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose). The mechanical properties of the materials have been studied. The effect of iron ascorbate on polymer network parameters was discussed. The current study demonstrated the possibility of obtaining gelatin-tannin hydrogels for pH-dependent iron delivery. That provides future perspectives to expand the set of releasing microelements for biomedical applications.