title: Effect of crosslinking, thermal treatment and UV irradiation on the mechanical properties and in vitro degradation behavior of several natural proteins aimed to be used in the biomedical field.
abstract: Gelatine (GEL), soy (SI), casein (CAS) and sodium-caseinate (NaCAS) solutions were cast to produce protein films. All the proteins were chemically modified by adding glyoxal to the film-forming solutions in amounts varying from 0 to 0.9% (w/w based on the protein content). After casting, the same films were also submitted to a heat treatment performed at 80 degrees C or UV irradiation. The effect of those chemical/physical modifications on the mechanical properties and on the hydrolytic stability of the protein films was evaluated. As a result, a large variety of protein films with different mechanical properties and degradation profiles were developed. CAS and NaCAS even when chemically/physically modified do not resist to hydrolysis longer than 2 weeks. GEL, only when chemically modified with glyoxal, become water resistant. Due to its hydrolytic stability, SI become a very attractive material for biomedical applications where long term treatments are a requisite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal. c.m.vaz@tue.nl
authors.forename: Cláudia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.forename: Leontine A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: De Graaf
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: António M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cunha