Influence of Divalent Ions on Gelatin Hydrogel and its Physicochemcal Characterization

Abstract

In this study gelatin hydrogels and their physicochemical properties are studied after chelation by EDTA. Gelatin is highly biocompatible, biodegradable, non immunogenic and can be modified at amino acid level. But due to its thermoreversible nature gelatin gels are not stable in nature and their mechanical strength is very low. Gelatin contains many divalent ions such as calcium, iron, and copper during denaturation process. Due to chelation activities of these divalent ions are diminished thereby making an EDTA metal ion complex. This process leads to more number of free carboxylic acid strengthening the interaction between cross linking agent and the gelatin gel network, hence increasing the stability and viscoelasticity of the gelatin hydrogels. Various characterization techniques were performed namely swelling studies, FTIR analysis, contact angle measurement, in vitro degradation, rheological studies and Hemocompatiblity tests. All the characterization techniques depicts that purified gelatin gel network when crosslinked with gluteraldehyde forms a more dense and stable network when compared with unpurified gelatin crosslinked with gluteraldehyde. More stable gelatin networks can be used in wide areas of soft and hard tissue engineering.