Crosslinking biopolymers for biomedical applications - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Crosslinking biopolymers for biomedical applications

Narendra Reddy et al. Trends Biotechnol. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Biomaterials made from proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic biopolymers are preferred but lack the mechanical properties and stability in aqueous environments necessary for medical applications. Crosslinking improves the properties of the biomaterials, but most crosslinkers either cause undesirable changes to the functionality of the biopolymers or result in cytotoxicity. Glutaraldehyde, the most widely used crosslinking agent, is difficult to handle and contradictory views have been presented on the cytotoxicity of glutaraldehyde-crosslinked materials. Recently, poly(carboxylic acids) that can crosslink in both dry and wet conditions have been shown to provide the desired improvements in tensile properties, increase in stability under aqueous conditions, and also promote cell attachment and proliferation. Green chemicals and newer crosslinking approaches are necessary to obtain biopolymeric materials with properties desired for medical applications.

Keywords: biomaterials; biopolymers; carboxylic acids; crosslinking; physiological conditions; stability.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources