Combined Analytical Approaches to Standardize and Characterize Biomaterials Formulations: Application to Chitosan-Gelatin Cross-Linked Hydrogels

Abstract

A protocol based on the combination of different analytical methodologies is proposed to standardize the experimental conditions for reproducible formulations of hybrid hydrogels. The final hybrid material, based on the combination of gelatin and chitosan functionalized with methylfuran and cross-linked with 4-arm-PEG-maleimide, is able to mimic role, dynamism, and structural complexity of the extracellular matrix. Physical–chemical properties of starting polymers and finals constructs were characterized exploiting the combination of HP-SEC-TDA, UV, FT-IR, NMR, and TGA.

Keywords

• hybrid biomaterials
• gelatin
• chitosan
• Diels Alder
• hydrogels
• extracellular matrix