Tailoring membrane technology with galactomannan for enhanced biocompatibility and antibacterial action

In this study, we elaborated advanced asymmetric membranes using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and a galactomannan (GA) derived from Delonix regia seeds, a blend known for its biocompatibility properties. These membranes, crosslinked with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA), exhibited remarkable enhancements in various crucial aspects for biomedical applications, in particular provides antibacterial properties. The incorporation of GA leads to the formation of globular regions, enhancing crosslinking and swelling properties. Increasing GA content results in membranes with enhanced biodegradation, reduced mechanical resistance, and increased elongation at break. The chemical composition of these membranes actively stimulates the metabolism of fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and to a lesser extent, monocytes, promoting cell proliferation particularly at GA contents between 10 and 20 %. Notably, the membrane containing 20 wt% GA demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by reducing MCP-1 cytokine secretion without compromising tissue repair capacity, as TGF-ß secretion remains unaffected in human monocytes. This multifaceted approach underscores the potential of these membranes in biomedical applications, particularly in wound healing and tissue engineering.