title: Physical properties and biocompatibility of chitosan/soy blended membranes.
abstract: Blends of polysaccharides and proteins are a source for the development of novel materials with interesting and tailorable properties, with potential to be used in a range of biomedical applications. in this work a series of blended membranes composed by chitosan and soy protein isolate was prepared by solvent casting methodology. in addition, cross-linking was performed in situ with glutaraldehyde solutions in the range 5x10(-3)-0.1 M. Furthermore, the influence of the composition and cross-linking on the degradation behaviour, water uptake and cell adhesion was investigated. The obtained results showed that the incorporation of chitosan, associated to network formation by cross linking, promoted a slight decrease of water absorption and a slower degradability of the membranes. Moreover, direct contact biocompatibility studies, with L929 cells, indicate that the cross-linking enhances the capability of the material to support cell growth.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. simonesilva@dep.uminho.pt
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010936:Plant Extracts; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014867:Water; D048271:Chitosan