Natural polysaccharide-based hydrogels display unique properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, stimuli-responsive behavior, and intrinsic biological functions, making them materials of choice for diverse applications. In the healthcare arena, the development of a hydrogel containing natural compounds with broad-spectrum biocidal activity against pathogenic microorganisms is of great importance.
This project proposal aims at obtaining and characterizing hydrogels based on mucilages extracted from quince. The hydrogel structure will be improved by using β-glucan and the polysaccharide kefiran matrix, while functionalization will be achieved through the incorporation of bioactive compounds extracted from plants (A. millefolium and H. perforatum). The objectives of the project align with current consumer trends and market requirements regarding biomaterials for biomedical applications.
The useful properties of natural antimicrobial agents, together with advances in drug delivery technologies, may enhance and expand their medical applications. Combining these alternative antimicrobial agents with advanced smart delivery systems aims to promote bioavailability of the agents at microbiocidal concentrations, minimize scarring, promote wound healing processes, and reduce the frequency of dressing changes.
The topic of the project will impact scientific knowledge and research by contributing to the development of eco-sustainable natural polysaccharide systems.
The new concept of hydrogels is based on mixing quince seed mucilage while hydrogel structure will be improved by using polysaccharide kefiran and β-glucan matrix, and their functionalization is done by incorporating bioactive compounds: essential oils extracted from Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum. Therefore, the hydrogels obtained will be used as carriers for delivery of bioactive molecules.
In this context, this project has as specific objectives:
Specific Objectives 1 (O1): Extraction and characterization of essential oils from Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum
Specific Objectives 2 (O2): Extraction and purification of β-glucans from brewers spent grain
Specific Objectives 3 (O3): Preparation of a hydrogel matrix, by establishing the proportion of each component and characterization of its physical parameters
Specific Objectives 4 (O4): Characterization of structural and functional performance of the new hydrogel, after the incorporation of bioactive compounds
Specific Objectives 5 (O5): Evaluation the reepithelization process that involve migration and proliferation of keratinocytes and the angiogenesis process on cell culture (spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte (HaCaT)).
Specific Objectives 6 (O6): Evaluation of in vitro hydrogel properties using EpiDerm 3D system.
Specific Objective 7 (O7): Results dissemination
Project Multifunctional hydrogel based on natural polysaccharides and bioactive compounds with healing and antimicrobial activity, PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-1083