Enzymatic Crosslinking of Coacervates Yields High-Strength and Reconstitutable Biomedical Adhesives
Tanmay Dutta1, Bhanwar Lal1, Drishiya Vats2
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462066, India.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|November 12, 2025
Summary
New water-based biomedical adhesives offer superior wound healing. These enzyme-cured polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) provide strong adhesion in wet conditions and outperform current options in animal studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Current biomedical adhesives like cyanoacrylates and fibrin have limitations.
- Hydrophobic nature hinders performance in moist wound environments.
- Rapid degradation in vivo leads to weak adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop advanced water-based biomedical adhesives.
- To overcome limitations of existing hydrophobic tissue adhesives.
- To create a high-strength, stable adhesive for wound care.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic crosslinking of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs).
- PEs feature a polyamide backbone with Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP)-responsive phenolic groups.
- Adhesive properties, stability, and wound healing efficacy were evaluated.
Main Results:
- The PEC adhesive demonstrated excellent formulation stability and rapid curing.
- High adhesion strength (up to 10 MPa on wood) was achieved, even in high humidity.
- The adhesive was hemostatic and showed superior wound healing in mice compared to cyanoacrylates.
Conclusions:
- Enzyme-cured PEC adhesives offer a promising alternative for advanced wound care.
- Their water-based nature and high adhesion overcome limitations of current hydrophobic adhesives.
- The adhesive's stability, performance, and wound healing potential warrant further clinical investigation.
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