The Influence of Bloom Index, Endotoxin Levels and Polyethylene Glycol Succinimidyl Glutarate Crosslinking on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Gelatin Biomaterials

Abstract

In the medical device sector, bloom index and residual endotoxins should be controlled, as they are crucial regulators of the device’s physicochemical and biological properties. It is also imperative to identify a suitable crosslinking method to increase mechanical integrity, without jeopardising cellular functions of gelatin-based devices. Herein, gelatin preparations with variable bloom index and endotoxin levels were used to fabricate non-crosslinked and polyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate crosslinked gelatin scaffolds, the physicochemical and biological properties of which were subsequently assessed. Gelatin preparations with low bloom index resulted in hydrogels with significantly (p p p p p < 0.05) decreased free amine content, at the concentration used, it did not provide sufficient structural integrity to support cell culture. Therefore, the quest for the optimal gelatin crosslinker continues.

Keywords

• gelatin biomaterials
• bloom index
• endotoxin levels
• macrophage response