Self-Crosslinkable Bacterial Cellulose/Chitosan/Pectin Injectable Hydrogels: Design, Characterization and Preliminary Biological Performance
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2025
Nabanita Saha, Asabuwa Fahanwi Ngwabebhoh, Oyunchimeg Zandraa, Mainak Chaudhuri, Nibedita Saha, Diana Solovyov, Ģirts Šalms, Arita Dubņika, Alejandro Sosnik, Tomas Saha, Petr Saha

In this study, multifunctional polysaccharide-based injectable hydrogels were developed using chitosan (CS) and dialdehyde bacterial cellulose (D-BC), interpenetrated with pectin (PT). The hydrogels exhibited rapid gelation, good water retention, and injectability under physiological conditions. Comprehensive characterization was performed to assess their chemical structure, internal morphology, thermal stability, and rheological behavior. The formation of dynamic Schiff base bonds between amine groups of CS and aldehyde groups of D-BC facilitated efficient crosslinking, resulting in rapid gelation and favorable swelling properties. The hydrogels also demonstrated shear-thinning behavior, contributing to their injectable and self-supporting characteristics. In vitro biocompatibility was evaluated over 21 days using gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs), with all formulations maintaining over 80% cell viability, confirming their cytocompatibility. Antibacterial assays revealed significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, indicating promising antimicrobial performance. The 3D hydrogel networks provided a porous and stable structure suitable for cellular infiltration and tissue integration. Overall, this work presents a green, bio-based approach for fabricating injectable hydrogels with tunable physicochemical and biological properties, offering a potential platform for soft tissue repair applications, particularly in maxillofacial regeneration.


Keywords
antibacterial activity | biomaterials | biomedical applications | biopolymers | biopolymers and renewable polymers | crosslinking | cytotoxicity |injectable hydrogel | swelling | synthesis and processing techniques
DOI
10.1002/app.57752
Hyperlink
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/app.57752

Saha, N., Fahanwi Ngwabebhoh, A., Zandraa, O., Chaudhuri, M., Saha, N., Solovyov, D., Šalms, Ģ., Dubņika, A., Sosnik, A., Saha, T., Saha, P. Self-Crosslinkable Bacterial Cellulose/Chitosan/Pectin Injectable Hydrogels: Design, Characterization and Preliminary Biological Performance. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2025, Vol. 142, No. 45, Article number e57752. ISSN 0021-8995. e-ISSN 1097-4628. Available from: doi:10.1002/app.57752

Publication language
English (en)
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